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YANKEE BOYS IN JAPAN 



“ With a shrill cry trembling upon his lips, Nattie felt himself falling 
through space. (See page X c 7 ) 


£ w 


YANKEE BOYS IN 
JAPAN 

OR 

THE YOUNG MERCHANTS OF 
YOKOHAMA 


HENRY HARRISON LEWIS 

AUTHOR OF 

“The Valley of Mystery,” “Won at West Point,” 
“King of the Islands,” etc. 



YORK AND LONDON 
KT & SMITH, PUBLISHERS 


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THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 

Two Copies Received 

J’JL 15 1903 

i Copyright Entry 

:usi) ^ xx c. No. 

W- t 1— 
COPY Q. 


Copyright, 1903 
By STREET & SMITH 


Yankee Boys in Japan 


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CONTENTS 


CHAPTER 

PACE 

I— Three Characters are Introduced . 

• 7 

II — Nattie Arrives Opportunely 

15 

III— Grant is Mysterious 

. 23 

IV — The Attack of the Ronins 

33 

V — The Man with the Gladstone Bag 

. 41 

VI — Mr. Black Receives a Surprise . 

50 

VII — Nattie Carries His Point 

• 59 

VIII— One Conspirator Defeated 

68 

IX — Disaster Threatens 

• 77 

X — Mori Shows His Generosity 

. . 85 

XI — Nattie Makes a Discovery 

. 92 

XII — The Struggle in the “Go-down” 

IOI 

XIII— Willis Round Escapes . 

. . 108 

XIV — The Beginning of the Celebration 

. 11 6 

XV — The Wrestling Match . 

. 124 

XVI — After the Victory 

. 131 


XVII — The T urning Up of a Bad Penny and its Results 1 38 

XVIII— Evil Tidings 148 

XIX — Bad News Confirmed 154 


ii CONTENTS 

CHATTER FACE 

XX — The Man Beyond the Hedge . . 162 

XXI — A Prisoner 170 

XXII— The Pursuit 177 

XXIII — Patrick Shows His Cleverness . .184 

XXIV — Grant Beards the Lion . . . 192 

XXV— A Plan, and its Failure .... 200 

XXVI — Grant Attempts to Escape . . . 207 

XXVII— In Front of the Old Castle . . .215 

XXVIII — Sumo’s Army 223 

XXIX — A Mysterious Disappearance . . . 230 

XXX — The Tragedy in the Tunnel . . 239 

XXXI — Ralph Secures Reinforcements . . 245 

XXXII — The Flashing of the Swords . . 252 

XXXIII — “Grant! Brother, is it You?” . . . 258 

XXXIV — The Mysterious Forces of Nature . 264 

XXXV — Retribution! . . . *. . . 270 

XXXVI — Conclusion 276 


YANKEE BOYS IN JAPAN 


CHAPTER I. 

THREE CHARACTERS ARE INTRODUCED. 

It was early in the afternoon of a July day. A warm 
sun beaming down with almost tropical fervency glinted 
through the open windows of an office in the foreign set- 
tlement of Yokohama, Japan. The room, a large one, fur- 
nished with desks and chairs, and the various equipments 
of such an apartment, contained a solitary occupant. 

He — it was a youth of not more than nineteen years of 
age — was leaning back in an easy, revolving chair, with his 
hands resting upon an account book laid open on a light 
bamboo desk. His face, as seen in the glare of the light, 
was peculiar. The expression was that termed old-fash- 
ioned by some. He had queer, puckered eyes, and many 
wrinkles here and there, but the chin was firm and reso- 
lute, and the forehead lofty — marks of intelligence and 
great shrewdness. 

There was something in the pose of the body, however, 


8 


Three Characters are Introduced. 


that did not denote either gracefulness or symmetry. 
Presently he arose from his chair and moved with a halt- 
ing gait toward a window opening into an outer court. 
Then it became evident that he was a cripple. 

One leg, the right, was shorter than its mate. There 
was also a droop in the shoulders that betokened a lack 
of physical strength, or many years of ill health. Not- 
withstanding this misfortune, the youth had a cheerful 
nature. As he glanced out into the court, with its huge- 
leafed palms, shady maples, and the ever-present bam- 
boos, he whistled softly to himself. 

Presently the faint tinkling notes of a samisen — a native 
square-shaped banjo — came to his ears from a neighbor- 
ing building. Then the rat-tat of the hourglass- 
shaped drum called tsuzumi joined in, and the air was 
filled with a weird melody. 

With something like a sigh, the young man turned back 
to his work. Bending over the book, he added up inter- 
minable columns of figures, jotting down the results upon 
a pad at his elbow. 

A stranger entering from the teeming street would 
have noted something amiss in this office. He would have 
seen that the half-dozen desks, with the exception of that 
being used by the solitary occupant, were thickly covered 
with dust. 


Three Characters are Introduced. 9 

A delicate tracery of cobwebs held in its bondage the 
majority of the chairs. There were others festooning the 
row of books and pasteboard files upon a number of 
shelves lining the walls. Over in one corner was an open 
fireplace, looking grim and rusted, and above a lacquered 
side table swung a parrot cage, desolate and empty. It 
was a scene of disuse, and it had its meaning. 

It was the counting-room of John Manning, “Importer 
and Trader,” as a tarnished gilt sign over the outer door 
informed the passerby. But the master of it, and of the 
huge warehouse back on the bay, had gone to his last rest 
many months before. 

He had been the sole owner of the business — which 
rumor said had fallen into decay — and when he went to 
join his helpmate, he left two sons to fight the battle of 
life. One, Grant Manning, we now see hard at work in 
the old office. The other, Nathaniel Manning, or “Nat- 
tie,” as he was familiarly called by his associates, was at 
that moment on his way to the office to join his brother. 

Just fifteen years had John Manning conducted business 
as an importer and trader in the foreign quarter of Yoko- 
hama. At first his firm had prospered, but the coming of 
new people, and severe competition had finally almost 
forced the American to the wall. 

He died leaving his affairs in a muddle, and now Grant, 


io Three Characters are Introduced. 


after months of delay and litigation, was puzzling his 
brain over the carelessly kept books and accounts. Five 
years previous Nattie had been sent home to New England 
to school. He was on the point of entering Harvard when 
the word came that his father had suddenly passed away. 

In the letter Grant had added that but little remained 
of their father’s money, and that his presence was also 
needed to help settle the accounts. For several months 
after Nattie’s arrival in Japan nothing could be done. At 
last the elder brother had cleared up matters sufficiently 
for the boys to see where they stood. 

On the day on which this story opens Grant had ar- 
ranged an appointment with his brother, and was now 
awaiting his coming with the patience characteristic of 
him. 

The task he had taken upon himself was not the lightest 
in the world. The books were in almost hopeless confu- 
sion, but by dint of hard application Grant had finally 
made out a trial balance sheet. As he was adding the 
finishing touches to this, he suddenly heard the sounds of 
an animated controversy in the street. 

An exclamation uttered in a familiar voice caused him 
to hastily leave his desk and open the door leading outside. 
As he did so a couple of jinrikishas — two-wheeled car- 
riages pulled by coolies — came into sudden collision di- 


Three Characters are Introduced. n 

rectly in front of the office. Each vehicle was occupied 
by a fashionably dressed lad. 

They were gesticulating angrily, and seemed on the 
point of coming to blows. The kurumayas, or jinrikisha 
men, were also bent on hostilities, and the extraordinary 
scene was attracting a dense crowd of blue-costumed na- 
tives. Rushing bareheaded into the street, Grant grasped 
one of the lads by the arm, and exclaimed : 

“What under the sun does this mean, Nattie? What 
is the cause of this disgraceful row?” 

“It’s that cad, Ralph Black,” was the wrathful reply. 
“He made his kurumaya run the * rikisha in front of mine 
on purpose to provoke a quarrel. He will have enough 
of it if he don't look out.” 

“Not from you, Nattie Manning !” insolently called out 
the youth in the other vehicle. “You are very high and 
mighty for a pauper.” 

Nattie gave a leap from his carriage with the evident 
intention of wreaking summary vengeance upon his in- 
sulter, but he was restrained by Grant. 

Ralph Black, a stocky-built youth of eighteen, with an 
unhealthy complexion, probably thought that discretion 
was the better part of valor as he hastily bade his kuru- 
maya carry him from the spot. 

The brothers gave a final glance after the disappearing 


12 Three Characters are Introduced. 

jinrikisha, and then entered the office, leaving the crowd 
of straw-sandaled natives to disperse before the efforts 
of a tardy policeman. 

“Nattie, when will you ever learn to avoid these dis- 
graceful rows?” remarked Grant, seating himself at his 
desk. “Since your return from the States you have quar- 
reled with Ralph Black four or five times.” 

“I acknowledge it, brother, but, really, I can’t help it,” 
replied Nattie, throwing himself into a chair. “The con- 
founded cad forces himself upon me whenever he can. 
He is insolent and overbearing, and I won’t stand it. You 
know I never liked Ralph. Before I left for the States 
we were always rowing. He is a mean, contemptible 
sneak, and if there is anything on earth I hate it is that.” 

The lad’s face flushed with passion, and as he spoke he 
struck the arm of the chair with his clinched fist. In both 
appearance and actions, the brothers were totally differ- 
ent. Stalwart for his age, clean-limbed, a handsome face, 
crowned by dark, clustering hair, Nattie would have at- 
tracted admiration anywhere. 

As stated before, Grant was a cripple, deformed and 
possessed of a quaint, old-fashioned countenance, but 
readers of human nature would have lingered longer over 
the breadth of his brow, and the kindly, resolute chin. 


Three Characters are Introduced. 


*3 

Nattie would have delighted athletes, but his elder brother 
— a truce to descriptions, let their characters speak for 
themselves as the story progresses. 

Grant smiled reprovingly. He had a great liking for 
Nattie, but he regretted his impulsiveness. None knew 
better than he that the lad was all right in his heart, but 
he needed a rudder to his ship of life. 

“I suppose it is hard to bear sometimes,” he acknowl- 
edged. “It is a pity that you are compelled to antagonize 
the fellow just when we are placed in such a predicament. 
I have gone over the books from end to end, but I declare 
I can’t find any further references to the payment of the 
debt.” 

“We are sure father settled it, anyway.” 

“But we can’t prove it, more’s the pity. The last entry 
in father’s personal account book is this: ‘Paid this date 
the sum of five thousand, six hundred dollars ($5,600.00) 

to ’ it ends there.” Grant’s voice lowered as he added : 

“At that moment he fell from his chair, you know, and 
died before help could come.” 

Both were silent for a while, then Nattie reached for 
the book in question, and glanced over it. Finally he said, 
with decision : 

“That entry certainly means that father paid back Mr. 


14 Three Characters are Introduced. 

Black the debt of five thousand dollars, with six per cent, 
interest for two years, on the day of his death.” 

“There isn’t the slightest doubt of it in my mind. I 
cannot find the faintest trace of any similar debt in the 
books. But Mr. Black swears the amount was not paid, 
and he threatens to sue the estate.” 

“Nice work for a reputable English exporting merchant. 
But I don’t put it above him. The sire of such a son as 
Ralph Black would do almost anything, in my opinion.” 


CHAPTER II. 


NATTIE ARRIVES OPPORTUNELY. 

“I am afraid he will push us to the wall if he can/’ re- 
plied Grant, taking up the balance sheet. “If Mr. Black 
compels us to pay, or rather repay the debt, it will leave 
us penniless. This little trouble with Ralph will probably 
cause him to take immediate action. Ralph has great in- 
fluence over his father, you know.” 

“How does the estate stand?” asked Nattie, flecking a 
speck of dust from his carefully creased trousers. 

“Radiy enough. Briefly speaking, our liabilities, not 
counting the Black debt, are seventy-three thousand, eight 
hundred and ten dollars and forty-three cents, and the 
available assets, including everything — this building, the 
warehouse, and our home on the heights — are exactly 
eighty thousand dollars.” 

“Then we would have over six thousand dollars to the 
good if we could prove that father had really paid the 
English importing merchant?” 

“Yes, in round numbers. Six thousand one hundred 
and eighty-nine dollars and fifty-seven cents. But there is 


16 Nattie Arrives Opportunely. 

no use in beating around the bush, Nattie. We must face 
the issue squarely. We can’t prove it, and we are ruined.” 

The younger brother sprang to his feet and paced rest- 
lessly up and down the office. There was a gleam in his 
eyes that boded ill for certain persons if they should ever 
be placed in his power. Halting abruptly in front of 
Grant, he said, passionately : 

“It’s a confounded shame that we should lose every- 
thing. Father was fifteen years building up this trade, 
and now it must all go because of that villain’s treachery. 
You have gone over the books and know how the business 
stands. If we had money could we continue the business 
with any success?” 

‘‘Well, I should say so,” replied Grant, earnestly. “We 
have been agents and correspondents of the best American 
houses. Why, when the business stopped, father had or- 
ders for almost one hundred thousand dollars’ worth of 
petroleum, flour, calico, sugar and machinery. Then there 
are the exports. The firm of Broadhead & Company, of 
Philadelphia, wanted a consignment of rice and silk.” 

“You are well known to the government people also.” 

“None better. I can say without boasting that I stand 
higher with them than any other foreigner in business 
here. There is Yoshisada Udono, the secretary to the 
Minister of War; and the sub-admiral of the navy, Tan- 









•' * — - 






















I 




















































Nattie Arrives Opportunely. 17 

aka Tamotsu. I have some influence with both, and in 
case of supplies I think I can hold my own. But what is 
the use of talking. We haven’t the money, nor can we get 
it.” 

Nattie walked over to the window leading into the court, 
and glanced thoughtfully at the boxed walks, now over- 
grown with weeds. He plucked a sprig of bamboo, and 
returned to the center of the room. There was a smile 
upon his face. 

“I have a plan, brother, which may work and may not,” 
he said. “It can be tried.” 

Grant leaned back and eyed him in silence. 

“You remember Mori Okuma?” continued Nattie. 

“Of course. I know him well. He returned to Japan 
with you. He has been at Yale for several years. What 
about him?” 

“Coming over on the steamer I became very chummy 
with him. He is as nice a Japanese youth as you can find 
in sight of the volcano of Fuji San, which about includes 
the islands, you know. Well, his people are dead, and he 
is the sole heir to over fifty thousand dollars in good hard 
money.” 

“And you propose?” 

“To ask him to go in with us,” replied Nattie, quietly. 
“He told me he wished to invest his wealth if possible. 


18 Nattie Arrives Opportunely. 

He thought of returning to the States, but he can be talked 
out of that. What do you think of it?” 

Grant was visibly excited. He arose from his chair and 
paced back and forth with queer little steps. He ran one 
white hand over his brow in a way he had. His face lost 
some of its careworn expression, and he finally became 
radiant with hope. 

“Nattie, if we can induce him to form a firm with us 
our fortunes are made,” he said, eagerly. “Twenty thou- 
sand dollars, not half of his capital, will square up every- 
thing and place us in running order. Just think of it ! It 
will mean the defeat of many ill-wishers; it will save 
father’s name from the disgrace of a failure, and it’ll 
keep the old house going. When can you see him ? How 
about bringing him here this afternoon ? I can show him 
the books in a jiffy.” 

“I declare, brother, this is really the first time I ever 
saw you excited,” laughed Nattie. “Why, you positively 
look like another fellow. Just bide here for a while, and 
I’ll look Mori up. He’ll be down to the tea house near 
the bank, I suppose.” 

He brushed his sleeves where dust from the desk had 
soiled them, jauntily placed his cork sun-helmet upon 
his head, and sauntered from the offices, leaving Grant 
still trotting up and down in unwonted animation. The 


Nattie Arrives Opportunely. 19 

latter was alert and boyish. His face actually beamed — it 
was wonderful how the hope had changed him. 

The mere thought that money might be secured and the 
house — his father’s firm in which he had loved to labor — 
would be saved from the disgrace of bankruptcy was 
enough. The youth — he was nothing more in years — 
whistled a merry air, and limped to the window leading 
into the street. 

Drawing the curtain aside, he glanced forth, then 
started back with an exclamation of surprise. 

“Ah, they are at work early,” he muttered. “I fancy 
the son’s malevolence has brought this call.” 

A knock sounded at the door. Grant threw it open, and 
bowed politely to a man and a youth standing upon the 
threshold. The former, an austere Englishman, with dark 
side whiskers and a peculiar pallor of face, entered first. 
He was followed by a stocky-built youth, clad in fashion- 
able garments. It was father and son, comprising the 
well-known firm of importers and traders, Jesse Black & 
Company. 

Ralph gave Grant a malicious glance and seemed par- 
ticularly pleased at something. The elder Black marched 
majestically to a seat near the center of the desk, and, 
after brushing the dust from it, settled himself with a 
grunt. All this with not a word. 


20 Nattie Arrives Opportunely. 

The head of the firm glanced half contemptuously at 
the many evidences of disuse surrounding him; then he 
drew from an inner pocket a bill with several lines of 
writing upon it. This he handed to Grant. 

“I suppose you know why I am here?” he asked, in a 
harsh voice. 

“I believe I can guess,” quietly replied the cripple. 

“That bill will tell you. This estate owes me five thou- 
sand, six hundred dollars, not counting later interest. I 
need the money. Can you pay it to-day?” 

“Mr. Black, you know I cannot. It is simply impos- 
sible. I am trying to get affairs straightened up so that I 
can settle father’s debts, but I am not quite ready.” 

“Make him pay or threaten to sue,” muttered Ralph, in 
a voice intended for his father’s ears. 

Grant overheard the words, however. His eyes, gen- 
erally so gentle, flashed, and he turned sharply on the ill- 
favored youth. 

“I am conducting this conversation with Mr. Black,” 
he said, sternly. “I understand why this note has been 
presented to-day. It is your doings. Simply because you 
had a quarrel with my brother, and he threatened to 
chastise you, you retaliate by demanding this money. If 
the truth was known, the entire debt was paid by my 
father on the day of his death.” 


Nattie Arrives Opportunely. 21 

For a moment a silence death-like in its intensity fol- 
lowed this bold speech. Father and son glared at Grant 
as if hardly believing their ears. The elder merchant’s 
pallor seemed to increase, and he furtively moistened his 
lips with his tongue. 

Ralph’s face paled, and then flushed until the cords 
stood out in his forehead. Clinching his fists he strode 
over to where the cripple was standing near the bamboo 
desk. 

“What’s that you say?” he demanded, hoarsely. “Do 
you know what you mean, you puny wretch ? It is an ac- 
cusation of fraud, that’s what it is. Retract those words, 
or I’ll cram the lie down your throat.” 

If Grant had faults, cowardice was not one of them. 
He thoroughly realized that he would be no match in a 
tussle with Ralph Black, but that fact did not daunt his 
spirit. 

“If you are coward enough to strike me, go ahead,” he 
replied, calmly. “I will retract nothing. I say that I fully 
believe my father paid your debt on the day of his death. 
I know ” 

He was interrupted by Ralph. Wild with rage, the 
youth reached out and grasped Grant with his left hand, 
then he raised the other, and was on the point of aiming a 


22 Nattie Arrives Opportunely. 

blow at him when the front door suddenly flew back. Two 
young men stood in the opening. 

There was an exclamation of amazement, which died 
away in a note of wrath, then one of the newcomers darted 
forward, and in the twinkling of an eye Master Ralph 
found himself lying under a tall desk considerably con- 
fused and hurt, both bodily and in feelings. 

Then Nattie, for it was he, turned on Mr. Black, who 
tried to speak, but only stammering words came from his 
lips. The merchant had watched the affair with dilated 
eyes. He remained motionless until he saw his son 
stricken down; then, with a cry, he snatched up a heavy 
ruler lying upon the bamboo desk. 

As he raised it to strike at Nattie, the latter’s com- 
panion, who had hitherto remained in the doorway, ran 
forward and grasped his arm. There was a brief strug- 
gle, in which both Nattie and the newcomer participated, 
then the Blacks, father and son, found themselves forced 
into the street. 


CHAPTER III. 


GRANT IS MYSTERIOUS. 

The occupants of the office waited for a few moments 
to see if the English merchant and his hopeful offspring 
cared to continue the scrimmage, but no attempt was 
made to open the door. Nattie glanced through the win- 
dow, and saw them retreating up the street as fast as they 
could walk. 

“Well, did you ever see the beat of that?” he finally ex- 
claimed, turning back to his companions. “What is the 
meaning of it all, brother ?” 

Grant, who was still fuming with indignation, ex- 
plained the affair in detail. Presently he quieted down 
and concluded by saying, regretfully : 

“I am very sorry it occurred. To have such a row in 
this office i^ simply disgraceful. It also means an imme- 
diate suit for that debt, and any amount of trouble.” 

“We’ll see if it can’t be prevented,” replied Nattie, 
cheerfully. “This is Mori Okuma, brother. You remem- 
ber him.” 

The lame youth turned with outstretched hand and a 
smile of welcome to his brother’s friend. The young 


24 


Grant is Mysterious. 


Japanese, whose modest garb and quiet manner proclaimed 
the high-class native, responded cordially to the greeting. 
He appeared to be not more than eighteen years of age. 
He had the kindly eyes and gentle expression of his race. 

“I am greatly obliged to you for your assistance,” said 
Grant. “But I must apologize for such a scene. It is un- 
fortunate that you found this generally respectable office 
the theatre for a brawl. Believe me, it was entirely unso- 
licited on my part.” 

“Oh, Mori don’t mind that,” broke in Nattie, with a 
laugh. “I’ll wager a yen it reminded him of old times. 
He was center rush in the Yale football team, you know.” 

Mori smiled, and shook a warning finger at his friend. 

“I must confess that it did me good to see that old 
scoundrel thrown into the street,” he said, naively. “I 
know him well. My father had dealings with him several 
years ago. And the son is a savage, too. He intended to 
strike you, the coward.” 

“I’ll settle all scores with him one of these days,” said 
Nattie, grimly. Then he added, in a businesslike voice: 
“I have spoken to Mori about the firm, brother. He thinks 
favorably of the idea, and is willing to consult with us on 
the subject. Suppose you show him the books and explain 
matters.” 

“I will do that with the greatest pleasure,” replied 


Grant is Mysterious. 25 

Grant, smilingly. “I presume my brother has told you 
about how we stand, Mr. Okuma?” 

“Oh, bother formalities !” exclaimed Nattie, with char- 
acteristic impatience. “Call him Mori. He is one of us.” 

The young Japanese bowed courteously. 

“We are friends,” he said, “and I hope we will soon be 
partners.” 

The lame youth fervently echoed the wish. Calling at- 
tention to the balance sheet he had recently drawn up, he 
explained the items in detail, proving each statement by 
ample documents. Mori listened intelligentlv, nodding his 
approval from time to time. 

Presently Nattie slipped out into the street, returning 
after a while with a musmee, a native tea-house waitress. 
The girl, petite and graceful in her light-blue robe and 
voluminous obi, carried in her hands a lacquered tray, 
upon which were three dainty cups and a pot of tea. 

Sinking to her knees near the desk, the musmee placed 
the tray on the floor, and proceeded to serve the fragrant 
liquid. Work was stopped to partake of the usual after- 
noon refreshments, and the boys chatted on various sub- 
jects for five or ten minutes. 

Finally Nattie gave the musmee a few sen (Japanese 
cents) and dismissed her. She performed several elabo- 
rate courtesies, and withdrew as silently as she had come. 


26 Grant is Mysterious. 

The task of explaining the affairs of the firm of John 
Manning was resumed. 

“Now you understand everything,” said Grant, half an 
hour later. “You can see that with fresh capital we should 
carry on quite an extensive business. The Black debt, 
which I explained to you, has crippled us so that we will 
have to fail if we can’t secure money. We believe it was 
paid, but unfortunately, there are no traces of the receipt.” 

“I hardly think Mr. Black would hesitate to do anything 
for money,” replied Mori, thoughtfully. “Your esteemed 
father undoubtedly settled the debt.” 

“We have written contracts with the twelve American 
houses on this list,” continued Grant. “Then there is the 
chance of securing that order from the government for 
the Maxim revolving cannon and the fifteen million car- 
tridges. We also have a standing order for lacquered, 
ware with four New York firms. In fact, we would have 
ample business for eight months ahead.” 

“There’s money in it, Mori,” chimed in Nattie. “I 
can’t explain things like Grant, but I believe we can carry 
the majority of trade in this city and Tokio. What do 
you think of it ?” 

“I am quite impressed,” replied the Japanese youth, 
with a smile. “I have no doubt that we can do an ex- 
tensive business. You will pardon me if I defer giving 


Grant is Mysterious. 27 

you an answer until to-morrow at this hour. As I under- 
stand it, you wish me to invest twenty thousand yen 
against your experience and the orders on hand?” 

“And our contracts,” quickly replied Grant. “They are 
strictly first-class.” 

“And the contracts,” repeated Mori, bowing. “They 
are certainly valuable. I think you can rely upon a favor- 
able answer to-morrow. Until then I will say sayonara’* 

“Sayonara. We will be here at four o’clock to-morrow 
afternoon,” said Nattie and Grant, seeing their new friend 
to the door. 

“Now, I call that settled,” exclaimed the former, tossing 
his helmet in the air and adroitly catching it on the end of 
his cane. “I am certain Mori will go in with us. He’s a 
thoroughly good fellow, and can be depended on.” 

Grant was not so demonstrative, but the happy ex- 
pression on his face spoke volumes. He bustled about the 
office, restoring the books to the safe, closed the various 
windows, and then announced, cheerily: 

“I think we deserve a little vacation, Nattie. Suppose 
we knock off now and have an early dinner out at home. 
Then we can go to the theatre to-night. Horikoshi Shu is 
going to play in the ‘Forty-seven Ronins.’ ” 

His brother shrugged his shoulders as if the latter pros- 
pect was not entirely to his taste. 


28 Grant is Mysterious. 

“I confess I can’t see much in Japanese theatricals 
since my visit to the States,” he replied, “but we’ll take it 
in. Dinner first, eh ? Well, come along.” 

Leaving the office to the care of a watchman, they 
walked down the street toward the custom house. Grant 
recognized and bowed to a score of persons within the few 
blocks. It was evident that he was well known in the 
foreign mercantile circles of Yokohama. 

“They will be surprised when they hear that we have 
resumed business,” remarked Nattie, with a grin. 

“It will be unpleasant news to some,” replied his 
brother, dryly. “If we have the success I anticipate I 
wouldn’t be astonished if we found the whole crew banded 
against us. Black & Company can influence the three 
German houses and probably others.” 

Nattie snapped his fingers in the air in defiance. They 
presently came to a jinrikisha stand, and selecting two 
vehicles promising comfort, were soon whirling away 
homeward. The distance to the suburb on the heights 
where the Mannings lived was fully three ris, or more 
than six miles, but the karumayas made -little of the task. 

These men, the “cab horses” of Japan, clad in their 
short tunics, straw sandals, and huge mushroom-shaped 
hats of the same material, possess wonderful energy. 
They think nothing of a couple of miles at full speed, and 


Grant is Mysterious. 


29 


the apparently careless manner in which they tread their 
way through mazes of crowded streets is awe-inspiring to 
the foreign visitor. 

It was an old story to Grant and Nattie, however, and 
they leaned back against the soft cushions in comfort. 
After passing the custom house the karumayas turned into 
the Japanese town. Here the scene changed instantly. 

Here the broad roads dwindled to narrow lanes lined 
with quaint wooden shops, apparently half paper-glazed 
windows. Broad banners bearing the peculiar native char- 
acters fluttered in the breeze. Here and there could be 
seen the efforts of an enterprising Japanese merchant to 
attract trade by means of enormous signs done in comical 
English. 

The ’rikishas whirled past crowded sake , or wine 
shops, with red-painted tubs full of queer liquor; past 
crockery stores with stock displayed on the floors; past 
tea houses from which came the everlasting strains of the 
samisen and koto; on, on, at full speed until at last a 
broad open way was gained which led to the heights. 

Espying a native newsboy trotting by with his tinkling 
bell attached to his belt, Nattie called him, and purchased 
a copy of the English paper, the Japan Mail. 

‘Til see what Brinkley has to say about the trade,” he 
smiled. “To-day’s work has interested me in the prices 


30 Grant is Mysterious. 

of tea, and machinery, and cotton goods, and all of that 
class of truck. Hello ! raw silk has gone up several cents. 
Rice is stationary, and tea is a trifle cheaper.” 

“That’s good,” called out Grant from the other ’rikisha. 
“I can see my way to a good cargo for San Francisco if 
this deal with Mori comes to pass. Any mention made of 
purchases ?” 

“Black & Company are down for a full cargo of woollen 
and cotton goods, and the Berlin Importing Company ad- 
vertise a thousand barrels of flour by next steamer.” 

“We can beat them on prices. They have to buy 
through a middle man, and we have a contract straight 
with Minneapolis. I’ll see what ” 

“Jove! here’s something that touches me more than 
musty contracts,” interrupted Nattie, eagerly scanning the 
paper. “The Committee on Sports of the Strangers’ Club 
intend to hold a grand celebration on the seventh of July 
to celebrate the anniversary of Commodore Perry’s arrival 
in the Bay of Yeddo, and the first wedge in the opening of 
Japan to the commerce of the foreign world. Subscrip- 
tions are asked.” 

“We will give five hundred dollars,” promptly replied 
Grant. “In a case like this we must not be backward.” 

“That’s good policy. You hold up the honor of our 


Grant is Mysterious. 31 

house at that end, and I’ll see that we don’t suffer in the 
field.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“Why, there are to be athletic sports galore,” chuckled 
Nattie, in high glee. “A very novel programme is to be 
arranged. It will consist of ancient Japanese games and 
modern European matches. There is to be a grand 
wrestling contest among the foreign residents. That suits 
me clear down to the ground. And the funny thing about 
it is that no one is to know the name of his antagonist 
until he enters the ring.” 

“That will certainly add to the interest.” 

“I should say so. I am going to send my name in to 
the secretary to-morrow. Let me see; this is the second 
of July. That means four days for practice. I’ll secure 
old Matsu Doi as a trainer. Whoop ! there will be loads 
of fun, and — what under* the sun is the matter?” 

Grant had arisen in his ’rikisha and was staring back 
at a shabby-appearing native house they had just passed. 
For the purpose of taking a short cut to the road leading 
up the bluff the karnmayas had turned into a squalid part 
of the native town. The streets were narrow and wind- 
ing, the buildings lining them mere shells of unpainted 
wood. 


32 Grant is Mysterious. 

“What is the matter?” repeated Nattie, stopping the 
carriage. 

Instead of replying, Grant tumbled from his jinrikisha 
with surprising agility, and stepped behind a screen in 
front of a rice shop. Then he beckoned to his mystified 
brother, and with a peremptory gesture ordered the karu- 
mayas to continue on up the street. 



“With incredible quickness, Nattie produced a revolver from an 
inner pocket and fired point-blank, at the nearest Ronin.” 


(See page 40) 




CHAPTER IV. 


THE ATTACK OF THE RONINS. 

“What on earth is the matter with you ?” repeated Nat- 
tie, for the third time. “What have you seen?” 

“Sh-h-h ! there he is now,” replied Grant, peeping out 
from behind the screen. “I thought as much.” 

The younger lad followed his brother's example, and 
peered forth. A few rods down the crooked street was 
a small tea house which bore the worst reputation of any 
in Yokohama. It was noted as being the resort for a class 
of dissolute Samurai, or Ronins, as they are generally 
termed. 

These men, relics of the Ancient Order of Warriors, are 
scattered over the country in cities and towns. Some have 
finally exchanged the sword for the scales or plowshare, 
but there are others wedded to a life of arrogant ease, who 
have refused to work. 

Too proud to beg, they are reduced to one recourse — 
thievery and ruffianism. The strict police laws of Japan 
keep them in general control, but many midnight robberies 
and assassinations are properly laid to their door. 

On glancing from his place of concealment, Nattie saw 


The Attack of the Ronins. 


34 

three men, whose dress and air of fierce brutality pro- 
claimed them as Ronins, emerge from the tea house. 

They were immediately followed by a stocky-built 
young man, clad in English costume. It was Ralph Black. 
He cast a cautious glance up and down the street, then 
set out at a rapid walk for the Bund, or foreign settlement. 

Nattie gave a low whistle of surprise. 

“Well, I declare !” he exclaimed. “Is it possible he 
has fallen so low as to frequent such a place ?” 

“I hardly think so,” replied Grant. 

“What was he doing in there, then?” 

“I will tell you. He is out of sight now. Come, we’ll 
catch up with the * rikishas . When we were passing that 
tea house I chanced to look through the window. Imag- 
ine my surprise when I saw Ralph engaged in close con- 
versation with a villainous-looking Ronin. It struck me 
at once that something was up, so I motioned you to 
follow me from the carriages. What do you think of it ?” 

“It is deuced queer.” 

“Ralph Black is unscrupulous. He hates both of us, 
and in my opinion he wouldn’t stop at anything to avenge 
himself.” 

“Then you think?” 

“That he is arranging to have us assaulted some night 
by those villainous Ronins,” replied Grant, gravely. 


The Attack of the Ronins. 


35 

Nattie halted, and, clinching his fists, glanced back as 
if minded to return. 

“If I thought so I’d settle it now,” he said, angrily. 

“Nonsense. What could you do in a row with three or 
four cutthroats? It is only a supposition of mine. I 
would be sorry to believe that even Ralph Black would 
conspire in such a cowardly manner. Still we should keep 
an eye out during the next week or so, anyway. Here are 
the ’ rikishas . Jump in, and we’ll go home.” 

The balance of the trip to the bluff was made without 
incident. By the time the Manning residence was reached 
the incident had been displaced by something of apparent 
greater importance. Nattie’s mind was filled with thoughts 
of the triumphs he intended to win in the wrestling match 
on the seventh of July, and Grant was equally well occu- 
pied in the impending resurrection of the importing firm. 

The home of the Mannings — that occupied by them in 
summer — was a typical Japanese house. It was low and 
squat, consisted of one story only, and the walls were of 
hard wood eked out with bamboo ornaments. The nu- 
merous windows were glazed with oiled paper, and the 
roof was constructed of tiles painted a dark red. The 
grounds surrounding the structure were spacious, and in 
the rear stretched a garden abloom with richly-colored 
native plants. Ancient trees, maple, weeping willow, and 


36 


The Attack of the Ronins. 


fir afforded ample shade from the afternoon sun, and 
here and there were scattered stone vases and Shinto im- 
ages. A moderately-sized lake occupied the center of the 
garden. 

Ranging along the front of the house was a raised bal- 
cony to which led a short flight of steps. Ascending to 
this, the boys removed their shoes, exchanging them for 
straw sandals. Passing through an open door, they en- 
tered the front room of the dwelling. 

A servant clad in white garments immediately pros- 
trated himself and awaited the commands of his masters. 
Grant briefly ordered dinner served at once. Other serv- 
ants appeared, and by the shifting of a couple of panels 
(Japanese walls are movable) the apartment was enlarged. 

The floor was of matting — delicate stuffed wicker an 
inch thick, and of spotless hue — and the entire room was 
devoid of either chair or table. To an American boy the 
preparations for dinner would have been surprising, to 
say the least. But Grant and Nattie were thoroughly con- 
versant with native styles, and the only emotion they dis- 
played was eager anticipation. 

In lieu of tables were two little boxes about a foot 
square, the lids of which were lifted and laid on the body 
of the box, with the inner surface up. This was japanned 


The Attack of the Ronins. 


37 

red, and the sides of the box a soft blue. Inside were 
stored rice bowl, vegetable dish, and chopstick case. 

At the announcement of the meal, Grant and his brother 
seated themselves upon the floor and prepared to partake 
of the food set before them with equally as much appetite 
as if the feast had been spread in American fashion. 

Both boys had lived the most of their youthful lives in 
Japan, and they had fallen into the quaint ways of the 
people with the adaptability of the young. Mr. Manning 
had early taken unto himself the literal meaning of the 
old saw, “When you are in Rome, do as the Romans do,” 
and his sons had dutifully followed his example. 

After dinner the boys sat for a while on the front bal- 
cony, and then prepared for the theatre. Jinrikishas were 
summoned, and a rapid journey made to the home of 
native acting in Yokohama. 

The peculiarity of Japanese theatricals is that a play 
generally commences in the morning, and lasts until late 
at night. For this reason our heroes found the building 
comfortably filled with parties at that moment eating their 
simple evening repast. 

The theatre was a large square structure, situated in the 
center of a small park. The interior was decorated with 
innumerable paper lanterns, and covering the walls were 


38 The Attack of the Ronins. 

enormous, gaudily-painted banners setting forth in Japa- 
nese characters the fame of the performers. 

The stage filled one entire side, and was equipped with 
a curtain similar to those found in American theatres. 
There were no wings, however, and no exit except through 
the auditorium. On the remaining three sides were bal- 
conies, and near the ceiling was a familiar gallery filled 
with the native small boys. 

The floor was barren of chairs, being divided into 
square pens, each holding four people. The partitions 
were one foot in height, and elevated gangways traversed 
the theatre at intervals, permitting of the passage of the 
audience to their respective boxes. 

As usual in all Japanese structures, the spectators re- 
moved their shoes at the entrance, being provided with 
sandals by the management for the time being. The last 
act of the drama was commenced shortly after the boys 
reached their inclosure, and it proceeded without inter- 
mission until ten o’clock. 

Grant and Nattie left ten minutes before the end for the 
purpose of avoiding the crowd. There were a number 
of people in front of the building and innumerable Wiki- 
shas with their attendant karumayas. As the boys 
emerged from the door they were accosted by two men 


The Attack of the Ronins. 


39 

dressed as coolies. Each exhibited a comfortable car- 
riage, and their services were accepted without question. 

“What shall it be, home?” asked Nattie, with a yawn. 

“Yes, we may as well return. There is nothing going 
on in town,” replied Grant. “I have a little writing to do, 
anyway.” 

Stepping into his vehicle, he bade the man make good 
time to the bluff. Both boys were preoccupied, and they 
paid little attention to the crowd through which they 
passed. They also failed to see a signal given by one of the 
supposed karumayas to a group of three natives standing 
near the corner of the theatre. 

The easy swinging motion of the jinrikishas lulled their 
occupants to rest, and both Grant and his brother were 
on the verge of dozing before a dozen blocks had been 
covered. 

The night was dark, it being the hour before the appear- 
ance of a new moon. Thick clouds also added to the ob- 
scurity, blotting out even the feeble rays of the starry 
canopy. A feeling of rain was in the air. 

Down in the quarter where lay the foreign settlement 
a soft glow came from the electric lights. The deep-toned 
note of a steamer’s whistle sounded from the bay. The 
bell of a modern clock tolled the half hour, and before the 


The Attack of the Ronins. 


40 

echoing clangor had died away the two ’rikishas carrying 
the boys came to a sudden stop. 

Nattie aroused himself with a start and glanced around 
half angrily at being disturbed. Before he could utter a 
protest or ask the reason for the halt both coolies uncere- 
moniously disappeared into a neighboring house. 

Grant had barely time to notice that they were in a 
narrow way devoid of lanterns, when there came a rush 
of footsteps from behind, and three dark figures made an 
attack upon the carriage. 

There was a vicious whiz of a heavy sound, and the 
right edge of Nattie’s ’rikisha body was neatly lopped off. 
The crashing of wood brought the boys to a realization 
of their position. They knew at once that they were be- 
ing attacked by thugs. 

With an exclamation of excitement, Nattie leaped from 
his carriage. Another spring, and he was close to Grant. 
Then, with incredible quickness, the resolute lad produced 
a revolver from an inner pocket and fired point-blank at 
the nearest Ronin. 


CHAPTER V. 


THE MAN WITH THE GLADSTONE BAG. 

The extreme gloom and the excitement of the moment 
caused Nattie to aim badly, and the bullet whizzed past the 
object for which it was intended, striking the ground 
several paces away instead. The shot had one result, how- 
ever. 

It caused the assailants to hesitate. One even started to 
retreat, but he was checked by a guttural word from the 
evident leader. The slight delay was instantly taken ad- 
vantage of by the boys. Still holding his weapon in readi- 
ness for use, Nattie hurriedly wheeled both ’rikishas be- 
tween them and the Ronins. 

Thus a barricade was formed behind which Grant and 
Nattie sought refuge without loss of time. As yet, not a 
word had been exchanged. In fact, the events had oc- 
curred in much less time than it takes to describe them. 
Now Grant took occasion to remark in tones of deep con- 
viction : 

“This is Ralph Black’s work, Nattie. It is the sequel 
to my discovery of him in that low tea house this after- 
noon. He has bribed these cutthroats to assault us,” 


42 


The Man with the Gladstone Bag. 


“No doubt. But we can’t stop to probe the why and 
wherefore now. They intend to attack us again. It’s a 
good job I brought this gun with me to-night. I have 
six shots left, and I’ll put them to use if — look out ! they 
are coming !” 

While speaking, he noticed something stealthily ad- 
vancing through the darkness. He took rapid aim, but 
before he could pull the trigger he was struck upon the 
shoulder by a stone which came from in front. The force 
of the blow was sufficient to send him staggering against 
one of the ’rikishas. He dropped the revolver, but it was 
snatched up by Grant. 

The lame youth instantly used it, firing hastily through 
the wheel of one of the carriages. A shrill cry of pain 
came from the shadows, then a loud shout sounded at the 
lower end of the street. Twinkling lights appeared, and 
then echoing footsteps indicated that relief was at hand. 

The thugs were not slow in realizing that retreat was 
advisable under the circumstances. They gave the boys 
a parting volley of stones, then all three disappeared into 
an adjacent house. 

“Are you injured, brother?” anxiously asked Grant, 
bending over Nattie. 

“No; a bruise, that’s all. The police are coming at last, 
eh? They must have heard the shots. What are you go- 


The Man with the Gladstone Bag. 43 

ing to say about this affair ? Will you mention your sus- 
picions ?” 

“No; it would be useless. We have no proof that he 
set these men upon us. We must bide our time and watch 
the scamp. Hush ! they are here.” 

A squad of Japanese police, carrying lanterns, dashed 
up at a run. Their leader, a sub-lieutenant, wearing a 
uniform similar to that of a French gendarme, flashed his 
light over the capsized ’rikishas and their late occupants ; 
then he asked the cause of the trouble in a respectful tone. 

“We have been waylaid and attacked by three Ronins 
bent on robbery,” replied Grant, in the native tongue. 
“We were on our way home from the theatre and while 
passing through this street were set upon and almost mur- 
dered.” 

“Which way did the scoundrels go?” hastily queried 
the lieutenant. 

“Through that house. The karumayas fled in that di- 
rection also.” 

Leaving two of his men with the boys, the leader 
started in pursuit of the fugitives. No time was wasted 
in knocking for admission. One of the policemen placed 
his shoulder to the door and forced it back without much 
effort. 

A moment later the sounds of crashing partitions and 


44 The Man with the Gladstone Bag. 


a glare of light from within indicated that a strict search 
was being carried on. Grant and Nattie waited a moment ; 
then the latter said : 

“Suppose we go home. We might hang around here 
for hours. If they catch the rascals they can call for us 
at the house.” 

Grant favored the suggestion. He told one of the po- 
licemen to inform the lieutenant of their address, then he 
and his brother secured a couple of ’rikishas in an adjacent 
street, and were soon home once more. The excitement 
of the night attack had driven sleep from them, so they 
remained out upon the cool balcony and discussed the 
events of the day until a late hour. 

After viewing the situation from all sides, it was finally 
decided that a waiting policy should prevail. To boldly 
accuse Ralph Black of such a nefarious plot without 
stronger proof was out of the question. 

“If any of the Ronins or the karumayas are captured, 
they may be induced to confess,” said Grant. “In that 
case we can do something. Otherwise, we will have to 
bide our time.” 

Both boys arose early on the following morning and 
started for the office immediately after breakfast. They 
called in at the main police station on their way down- 


The Man with the Gladstone Bag. 45 

town and learned that nothing had been seen of the Ronins 
or jinrikisha men. 

The officer in charge promised to have the city scoured 
for the wretches, and apologized profusely for the out- 
rage. On reaching the office, Grant called in several 
coolies and set them to work cleaning up the interior. By 
noon the counting-room had lost its former appearance of 
neglect. The desks and other furniture were dusted, the 
books put in order, and everything arranged for immediate 
work. 

At the “tiffin,” or midday lunch hour, the brothers 
dropped in at a well-known restaurant on Main Street. 
As they entered the front door a youth arose hastily from 
a table in the center and disappeared through a side en- 
trance. It was Ralph Black. 

“If that don’t signify guilt, I’m a chicken,” remarked 
Nattie, with a grim smile. “He’s a fool.” 

“All he needs is rope enough,” replied Grant, in the 
same tone, “and he will save us the trouble of hanging 
him. I suppose he was ashamed or afraid to face us after 
last night’s treacherous work.” 

On returning to the counting-room they found the 
young Japanese, Mori, awaiting them. To say that he 
was cordially greeted is but half the truth. There was an 
expression upon his face that promised success, and Nattie 


46 The Man with the Gladstone Bag. 

wrung his hand until the genial native begged him to 
desist. 

“My answer is ready,” he announced, producing a bun- 
dle of papers. “I suppose you are anxious to know what 
it is?” 

“You don’t need to tell us,” chuckled Nattie, “I can read 
it in your eyes. Shake, old boy! Success to the new 
firm !” 

“You have guessed aright,” said Mori. “And I echo 
with all my heart what you say. Success to the new 
firm of Manning Brothers & Okuma. If you will come 
with me to your consul we will ratify the contract without 
loss of time.” 

Grant’s eyes were moist as he shook hands with the 
young Japanese. 

“You are indeed a friend,” he exclaimed, fervently. 
“You will lose nothing by it, I assure you. If hard work 
and constant application to duty will bring us success, I 
will guarantee that part of it.” 

An hour later the newly-formed firm of importers and 
traders was an acknowledged fact. In the presence of 
the American Consul as a witness, Mori paid into the for- 
eign bank the sum of twenty thousand dollars, and Grant, 
as his late father’s executor, turned over to the firm the 


The Man with the Gladstone Bag. 47 

various contracts and the mortgages on the warehouse and 
office building. 

“The very first thing we must see about is that debt 
of Black & Company,” announced the lame youth. “It 
won’t do to have the new firm sued. We will call at their 
office now and pay it under a written protest.” 

“Yes, and deposit their receipt in the bank,” added Nat- 
tie, grimly. 

“Nothing was found of the first receipt?” asked Mori, 
as they left the consulate. 

“Not a sign. I have searched through all the papers 
in the office, but without result. There is some mystery 
about it. Father never was very orderly in keeping docu- 
ments, but it is hard to believe that he would mislay a 
paper of that value.” 

“Who was in the office when your father — er — when 
the sad end came?” 

“Three clerks under the charge of a bookkeeper named 
Willis Round. Mr. Round was seated at a desk next to 
father’s at the moment. I was in the outer office.” 

“Was your father lying upon the floor when you were 
called ?” asked Mori ; then he added, hastily : “Forgive me 
if I pain you, Grant. Perhaps we had better allow the 
subject to drop.” 


48 The Man with the Gladstone Bag. 

“No, no. I see what you are driving at. You think 
that possibly Mr. Round may have stolen the receipt ?” 

“Exactly. Take a case like that ; a valuable paper and 
an unscrupulous man within easy reach, and you can 
easily see what would happen. I don’t remember this Mr. 
Round. What kind of a man was he?” 

“I never liked him,” spoke up Nattie. “He had a 
sneaking face, and was always grinning to himself, as if 
he had the laugh on other people. Then I saw him kick a 
poor dog one day, and a man who would do that is not 
to be trusted.” 

“I guess you are right,” agreed Grant. “Come to think 
of it, I never liked Mr. Round myself. He was a thor- 
ough bookkeeper though, and knew his business.” 

“Where is he now?” asked Mori. 

“I think he left for England. He was an Englishman, 
you know. After our firm closed he waited around town 
for a while, then I heard somebody say he returned to 
London.” 

The office of Black & Company was on the Bund, only 
a few squares from the consulate, so the boys walked there 
instead of taking the omnipresent jinrikishas. The build- 
ing was a dingy structure of one story, and bore the usual 
sign over the door. 

As Grant and his companions entered the outer office 


The Man with the Gladstone Bag. 49 

a tall, thin man, carrying a much-worn Gladstone bag, 
brushed past them and vanished down the street. The 
lame youth glanced at the fellow’s face, then he turned to 
Nattie with a low whistle. 

“There’s a queer thing,” he said. “If that man wore 
side whiskers, I would wager anything that he was Mr. 
Willis Round himself.” 


CHAPTER VI. 


MR. BLACK RECEIVES A SURPRISE. 

“You don’t say?” ejaculated the lad, stopping near the 
door. “Why, perhaps it was. Wait, Til follow him and 
see.” 

Before either Grant or Mori could offer an objection, 
Nattie darted' from the office into the street. There were 
several clerks in the counting-room, and they eyed the 
newcomers curiously. At the far end of the room was 
a door leading into the private office of the firm. 

A hum of voices came from within. Grant waited a 
moment undecided what to do, then he approached a clerk, 
and asked him to announce to Mr. Black that Grant Man- 
ning wished to see him on important business. The mes- 
sage produced immediate results. 

The fellow had hardly disappeared when the senior 
member himself stalked majestically into the outer apart- 
ment. Waving an official document in one hand, he glow- 
ered at the lame youth and exclaimed, in a harsh voice : 

“Your call will do you no good, sir. I have already 
instituted the suit. I suppose you have come to beg for 
time, as usual?” 


5i 


Mr. Black Receives a Surprise. 

“You suppose wrong, sir,” coldly replied Grant. 

“Well, what is the object of this visit, then?” 

“Please make out a receipt for the full amount of our 
debt.” 

Mr. Black’s face expressed the liveliest amazement. 
The door leading to the inner office creaked, and Ralph’s 
familiar countenance appeared in the opening. It was 
evident that he had been listening. 

“W-h-hat did you say?” gasped the merchant. 

“Please make out a receipt in full for the money owed 
to you by the firm of Manning & Company,” repeated 
Grant, calmly. 

“Then you mean to pay it ?” 

“Yes.” 

“But how can you ? It is over fifty-eight hundred dol- 
lars, boy.” 

“Five thousand, eight hundred and fifty dollars, in 
round numbers,” replied the lame youth, in a business- 
like voice. “The receipt, please. I will draw you a check 
for the amount at once.” 

He drew a small book from his pocket, and proceeded 
to write the figures as if such items were mere bagatelles 
in his business. Mori, who had been an interested but 
silent spectator now stepped forward and whispered a few 


52 Mr. Black Receives a Surprise. 

words to Grant. The latter nodded, and said, again ad- 
dressing Mr. Black: 

“By the way, sir, I think you had better accompany me 
to the American or English consulate. In view of past 
happenings, I prefer to have a reputable witness to this 
payment.” 

The merchant’s face flushed a deep red, and then paled 
again. Before he could reply, Ralph emerged from the 
inner office and advanced toward Grant with his hands 
clinched and a threatening look upon his dark counte- 
nance. 

“What do you mean, you scoundrel ?” he stormed. “Do 
you dare to insult my father in his own office? I’ve a 
notion to ” 

He broke off abruptly and lowered his hands. Mori 
had stepped before Grant in a manner there was no mis- 
taking. The young Japanese was small of stature, but 
there was an air of muscular solidity about him which 
spoke eloquently of athletic training. 

“No threats, Ralph Black,” he exclaimed, coolly. “We 
are here on a matter of business with your father. Please 
remember that you have to deal with me as well as Mr. 
Manning.” 

“What have you to do with it?” grated the youth. 


“Mind your own business.” 


Mr. Black Receives a Surprise. 53 

“That is exactly what I am doing,” was the suave 
reply. 

“Enough of this contention,” suddenly exclaimed Mr. 
Black, with a semblance of dignity. “Ralph, return to the 
inner office. I will soon settle these upstarts. Simmons, 
a receipt for the debt owed us by Manning.” 

The latter sentence was addressed to a clerk, who 
promptly came forward with the required paper. Taking 
it, the merchant extended his hand for the check. Grant 
hesitated and glanced at Mori. That youth nodded his 
head, and whispered : 

“We may as well waive the precaution of having it paid 
before the consul. The receipt will answer the purpose. 
There are two of us, you know.” 

“Well, do you intend to pay?” impatiently demanded 
Mr. Black. 

The lame youth gave him the check without deigning 
to reply. The merchant glanced at the amount, then he 
eyed the signature in evident surprise. 

“What does this mean?” he asked, harshly. “This is 
signed ‘Manning Brothers & Okuma/ What absurdity is 
this?” 

“It means what it says, sir,” answered Grant, a suspi- 
cion of triumph in his voice. “I may as well tell you 
what Yokohama will know before night. The importing 


54 Mr. Black Receives a Surprise. 

and trading firm of Manning & Company has been re- 
vived. Mr. Okuma here is a partner in the house, and 
we commence business at once. You act as if you do not 
believe me, sir. Please satisfy yourself by sending to 
the foreign bank.” 

As it happened, at that moment a clerk from the bank 
in question entered the office with some papers. A brief 
question addressed to him by the merchant brought instant 
proof of the lame youth’s words. As if dazed, Mr. Black 
gave him the receipt and entered the inner office without 
a word. Grant and Mori left at once. 

They looked up and down the street for Nattie, but 
he was not in sight. After waiting for several moments 
at the corner they set out for the counting-room. The 
young Japanese seemed preoccupied at first as if buried 
in thought, but he finally turned to his companion and 
said: 

'‘There is something about this business of the Black 
debt that I do not understand. How is it you could find 
no trace of the payment at the bank or among your can- 
celed checks ? It would surely be there.” 

“Why, I thought I had explained that to you,” replied 
Grant. “The money paid them by my father was in cash, 
not by check. I remember that on that day we had re- 
ceived almost six thousand dollars in English gold from 


Mr. Black Receives a Surprise. 55 

the skipper of a sailing ship. The money was placed in 
the small safe.” 

“And it was gone when you examined the safe after 
your father’s death ?” 

“Exactly. That is why I am so positive the debt was 
paid. That fact and the unfinished entry in father’s book 
is proof enough.” 

“It certainly is,” replied Mori, with conviction. “Well, 
something may turn up in time to establish the fact. Here 
is the office. We will wait until Nattie returns.” 

In the meantime an important scene had taken place 
in the counting-room they had just left. After their de- 
parture, Mr. Black cleared his private apartment of his 
secretary and closing the door leading to the outer room, 
bade his son draw a chair up to the desk. 

The merchant’s face appeared grim and determined. 
He nervously arranged a pile of papers before him, and 
then, with the air of a man who had recently heard un- 
pleasant news, he confronted Ralph. 

“Did you hear what that crippled whelp said?” he 
asked. 

“Yes,” sullenly replied his son. “He’s induced Mori 
Okuma to go in with him, and they intend to commence 
business at once.” 

“Do you know what that means to us ?” 


56 Mr. Black Receives a Surprise. 

“Another rival, I suppose. Well, we needn’t be afraid 
of them.” 

“Zounds! you can be stupid at times, sir. We have 
every reason to be alarmed at the formation of the new 
firm. If you paid more attention to the affairs of Black 
& Company and less to running around with the sports of 
Yokohama, you would be of more assistance to me.” 

“What is the matter now?” snarled the youth, arising 
from his chair. “These rows are getting too frequent, and 
I won’t stand it. I am no baby to be reproved by you 
whenever you please. I won’t ” 

“Sit down!” thundered the merchant. “Don’t be a 
fool.” Then he added, more mildly: “Remember that I 
am your father, Ralph. It is sometimes necessary to re- 
prove you as you must acknowledge. But enough of that 
now. We have a more weighty subject to discuss. You 
evidently do not see what this new firm means to us. I 
can explain in a few words. You have doubtless heard 
rumors of trouble with China about Corea ?” 

“Yes, but that is an old tale. I heard it two years 
past.” 

“Well, there is more truth in it now than you believe. I 
have private means of obtaining information. If I am not 
mistaken we will have war before the end of the present 
year.” 


Mr. Black Receives a Surprise. 57 

“What of it?” 

The merchant held up his hands in evident disgust. 

“It is easy to be seen that you have little of the in- 
stincts of a merchant in you,” he said, bitterly. “Hold! 
I do not intend to reprove you. I will not waste the time. 
If you don’t know, I will tell you that war means the 
expenditure of money, and the purchase of arms and 
stores. I know that the government is preparing for the 
coming conflict, and that they need guns and ammunition 
and canned provisions.” 

“Why don’t you try for the contracts then?” 

“I intend to. As you may remember, that little affair 
of the fodder last year for the cavalry horses has hurt 
my credit with the war department. I think I still stand 
a show, however — if there are no other bidders.” 

“How about the German firms ?” 

“Their rivalry won’t amount to anything, but if this 
Grant Manning comes in he will secure the contracts with- 
out the shadow of a doubt. Why, he is hand-in-glove 
with Secretary Yoshisada Udono, of the army. The Jap- 
anese fool thinks Grant is the soul of honesty, and the clev- 
erest youth in Japan besides.” 

Ralph leaned forward in his chair, and pondered deeply 
for a moment. Then, tapping the desk with his fingers, 
he said, slowly, and with emphasis : 


58 Mr. Black Receives a Surprise. 

"I understand the case now. It means a matter of 
thousands of pounds to us, and we must secure the con- 
tract, come what will. If these Manning boys stand in 
our way we must break them, that’s all. One thing, we 
have a good ally in Willis Round. With him as ” 

He was suddenly interrupted by a sound at the door. 
Before either could move it was thrown open, admitting 
a tall, thin man, carrying a much-worn Gladstone bag. 
Behind him and almost at his heels was Nattie Manning, 
an expression of determination upon his handsome face. 


CHAPTER VII. 


NATTIE CARRIES HIS POINT. 

When Nattie left his brother and Mori in the office of 
Black & Company, it was with the determination to as- 
certain whether the tall, thin man with the Gladstone bag 
was really the late bookkeeper, Willis Round. 

If the lad had been asked why he was placing himself 
to so much trouble for such a purpose he could not have 
answered. 

There was no reason why Round should not return to 
Yokohama if he so minded. And he had every right to 
remove his whiskers if he chose to do so ; and again, there 
was no law to prevent him from calling upon the firm of 
Black & Company. 

Still, in view of recent circumstances, it seemed suspi- 
cious to Nattie, and he sped down the street with the 
firm resolve to prove the identity at once. As the reader 
may have conjectured, the younger Manning brother had 
a strong will of his own. 

It was his claim, not uttered boastfully, that when he 
set a task unto himself, he generally carried it out if the 


6o 


Nattie Carries His Point. 


thing was possible. He proved that characteristic in his 
nature in the present instance. 

On reaching the corner of the next street, which hap- 
pened to be the broad thoroughfare running at right 
angles from the Bund, he caught sight of his man in the 
door of a famous tea house much frequented by the good 
people of Yokohama. 

The fellow had paused, and was glancing back as if 
suspicious of being followed. On seeing Nattie, he turned 
quickly and disappeared into the tea house. When the lad 
reached the entrance, he found the front room unten- 
anted save by a group of waiter girls. 

They greeted his appearance with the effusive welcome 
of their class, but he brushed them aside with little cere- 
mony and passed on into the next apartment. This also 
was empty. The more imposing tea houses of Japan are 
generally two-story structures, divided into a multitude 
of small and large rooms. 

The one in question contained no less than a round 
dozen on the ground floor, and as many in the second 
story. There was no central hall, but simply a series of 
public rooms extending from front to rear, with private 
apartments opening on each side. 

Nattie had visited the place times out of mind, and he 
knew that an exit could be found in the rear which led 


Nattie Carries His Point. 


61 


through a small garden to a gate, opening upon a back 
street. The fact caused the lad to hasten his steps. 

While hurrying through the fourth apartment, he heard 
voices in a side room. They were not familiar, but he 
halted at once. Suppose Round — if it were he — should 
take it into his head to enter one of the private apart- 
ments? He could easily remain concealed until a suffi- 
cient time had elapsed, and then go his way unseen. 

For a brief moment Nattie stood irresolute. If he re- 
mained to question the matsumas it would give the evi- 
dent fugitive time to escape by the rear gate. And if he 
hurried through the garden and out into the back street, 
Round could leave by the main entrance. 

“Confound it ! I can’t stay here twirling my thumbs,” 
he exclaimed. “What shall it be, back gate or a search 
through the blessed shanty? I’ll leave it to chance.” 

Thrusting a couple of fingers into a vest pocket, he ex- 
tracted an American quarter, and flipped it into the air. 

“Heads, I search these rooms ; tails, I go out the back 
gate,” he murmured, catching the descending coin with 
great dexterity. 

“Tails it is. Here goes, and may I have luck,” he 
added. 

Hurrying through the remaining apartments, he van- 
ished into the garden just as a tall, thin man carrying a 


62 


Nattie Carries His Point. 


Gladstone bag cautiously opened a side door near where 
Nattie had juggled the coin. There was a bland smile 
upon the fellow’s face, and he waved one hand airily 
after the youth. 

“Ta, ta, Master Manning,” he muttered. “I am thank- 
ful to you for leaving the decision to a piece of money. 
It was a close call for me, as I do not care to have my 
identity guessed just at present. Now that the coast is 
clear, I’ll drop in on the Blacks again and tell them to be 
careful.” 

Making his way to the main entrance, he called a pass- 
ing ’rikisha and ordered the karumaya to carry him to 
the Bund through various obscure streets. In the mean- 
time, Nattie had left the garden by way of the rear gate. 
A hurried glance up and down the narrow thoroughfare 
resulted in disappointment. 

A search of adjacent streets produced nothing. Con- 
siderably crestfallen, the lad returned to the tea house and 
questioned the head of the establishment. He speedily 
learned to his chagrin that the man for whom he had 
been searching had left the place not five minutes pre- 
viously. 

“Just my luck,” he murmured, petulantly. “Here, Ko- 
matsu, give this to a beggar ; it’s a hoodoo.” 

The affable manager accepted the ill-omened twenty- 


Nattie Carries His Point. 


63 


five cent piece with many bows and subsequently placed 
it among his collection of rare coins, with the inscription : 
“Yankee Hoodoo. Only one in Yokohama. Value, ten 
yen” s 

It was with a very disconsolate face that Nattie left 
the tea house on his way to the office of the new firm. He 
felt positive in his mind that the thin man was really 
Willis Round, and the actions of the fellow in slipping 
away so mysteriously tended to increase the lad's sus- 
picions. 

“If he cared to return to Yokohama, he could do so,” 
he reasoned, while walking down Main Street. “It’s no 
person’s business that I can see. And if he desired to in- 
crease his ugliness by shaving off his whiskers it was his 
own lookout. But what I don’t like is the way he sneaked 
out of Black’s counting-room without speaking to us. He 
was certainly trying to avoid recognition, and that’s flat. 

“I wonder what he had to do with that debt?” added 
the lad, after a while. “He is mixed up with the Blacks 
in some way, and I’ll wager the connection bodes ill to 
some one. Perhaps it is to us.” 

He had reached this far in his reflections when he 
chanced to look down a small alley leading from the main 
thoroughfare to a public garden. A jinrikisha was speed- 
ing past the outlet. The vehicle contained one man, and 


64 Nattie Carries His Point. 

in an instant Nattie recognized in him the subject of his 
thoughts. 

To cover the distance to the garden was a brief task for 
the lad's nimble feet. As he emerged from the alley, 
however, he plumped into a couple of American man-of- 
war's men. The collision carried one of them into the 
gutter, but the other grasped wildly at his supposed as- 
sailant’s collar. 

He missed, but nothing daunted, the sailor started in 
pursuit, calling out in a husky voice at every step. In his 
eagerness to catch up with Willis Round, Nattie had con- 
tinued his flight. The hubbub and outcry behind him 
soon brought him to a halt, and he faced about just as 
several policemen and a dozen foreigners and native citi- 
zens joined in the chase. 

What the outcome would have been is hard to say had 
not help arrived at that opportune moment in the shape 
of a friend — a clerk at the legation — who suddenly ap- 
peared in the doorway of a private residence within a 
dozen feet of the lad. 

'‘What is the matter, Manning?” hastily asked the new- 
comer. 

As quick as a flash Nattie bounded past him, and closed 
the door just as the infuriated sailor reached the spot. 

“For goodness' sake, old fellow, get me out by the 



‘Nattie plumped into a couple of American man-of-war’s men. The 
collision carried one of them into the gutter, but the other grasped 
wildly at his supposed assailant’s collar.” 


(See page 64) 












* 
















































Nattie Carries His Point. 65 

back way !” breathed the lad. “I haven’t time to explain 
now. I’ll tell you all about it this afternoon. I am fol- 
lowing a man, and I mustn’t lose him. Let me out by 
the rear, please.” 

Considerably mystified, the clerk obeyed. A moment 
later Nattie was again speeding down a street toward the 
Bund. As luck would have it, he caught sight of his man 
at the next corner. The jinrikisha had stopped in front 
of Black & Company’s office. 

Hurrying ahead, the lad contrived to enter the door at 
the heels of the fugitive. He stepped lightly across the 
counting-room, and was within a foot of him when he 
threw open the door leading into the merchant’s private 
office. 

At sight of them both Ralph and his father sprang to 
their feet. Totally unsuspicious of tbg proximity of his 
pursuer, the tall, thin man tossed his portmanteau upon 
a chair, and was on the point of greeting the occupants 
of the office when he saw them looking behind him in 
evident surprise. 

He turned, gave Nattie one startled glance, then made 
an involuntary movement as if contemplating flight. The 
lad barred the way, however. Grinning triumphantly, he 
lifted his hat with a polite bow, and said : 

“Why, this is an unexpected pleasure, Mr. Round. I 


66 


Nattie Carries His Point. 


did not know you had returned to Yokohama. How is 
everything in London?” 

“What are you talking about ?” growled the fellow. “I 
don’t know you.” 

“Indeed! How poor your memory must be. You 
worked for my father as confidential clerk and bookkeeper 
for many years. Surely you must remember his son, 
Nattie Manning?” 

The mocking tone caused Round to frown darkly. He 
saw that further denial was useless. Curtly turning his 
back to Nattie, he stalked to a chair and sat down. Dur- 
ing this little byplay Ralph had been staring at the in- 
truder in a peculiarly malevolent manner. 

“What do you want in here?” he demanded, at last. 
“This is our private office, and we receive people by invi- 
tation only. Get out.” 

“With the greatest pleasure,” sweetly replied Nattie. 
“I have secured all that I desire. I wanted to satisfy my- 
self as to that man’s identity, and I have succeeded. The 
removal of one’s whiskers don’t always form an effectual 
disguise, you know. Ta! ta!” 

He left the office with a triumphant smile, and quickly 
made his way to the counting-room of the new firm. 
Grant and Mori were engrossed in drawing up several 


Nattie Carries His Point. 67 

tables of import orders, but they gave instant attention to 
his story. 

“It certainly proves one thing,” remarked the lame 
youth. “Mr. Willis Round attempted to visit Yokohama 
in disguise. Now what can be his reason?” 

Before either Nattie or Mori could reply, the front 
door was thrown open, and the very man they were dis- 
cussing stepped into the office. There was an expression 
of cordial good nature upon his face, and he advanced 
with one hand extended in a friendly attitude. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


ONE CONSPIRATOR DEFEATED. 

“How do you do. Master Grant? I am pleased to see 
you,” exclaimed the newcomer. “And Master Nattie here 
is still the same good-looking lad as of old. Is this the 
new member of the firm? The old company has called 
in native blood, eh ? Well, it is not a bad idea.” 

Disregarding the cold stare of surprise given him by 
Grant, the speaker seated himself in a comfortable chair 
and gazed blandly around the office. He was a man of 
extreme attenuation of features, and restless, shifting 
eyes. He was modestly clad in a dark suit of English 
tweed, and carried the conventional cane of bamboo. 

For a moment there was an awkward silence, then Nat- 
tie laughed — a short, curt laugh, which brought a per- 
ceptible flush to Round’s sunken cheeks. 

“So you are our old bookkeeper after all?” said the lad, 
with a sly wink at Mori. 

“Yes, I am inclined to believe so,” replied the visitor, 
airily. “I have an explanation to make about that little 
incident, my boy. D’ye see, I returned from London by 
way of India yesterday morning. I had my reasons for 


One Conspirator Defeated. 69 

arriving incog., therefore I denied myself to you this 
afternoon. As the cat is out of the bag now, I’ll tell you 
all about it.” 

He paused and glanced at his auditors. Nothing 
daunted by their evident coldness, he resumed, in the same 
light manner : 

“I had a little deal on with the government here and 
certain people in England, and I came over to push it 
through. Remembering the firm of Black & Company, I 
went to them first. The interview was not satisfactory, 
however. Hearing that you had resumed your father’s 
business. I lost no time in coming here. Am I right in 
believing that you are open for valuable contracts ?” 

Both Nattie and Mori instinctively left the conversation 
to Grant. In a matter of business, he was the proper per- 
son, they well knew. The lame youth leaned back in his 
chair, and eyed the visitor with extreme gravity. 

“So you are here to do business with us, Mr. Round?” 
he asked, slowly. 

“Yes.” 

“May I ask the nature of the contracts ?” 

The ex-bookkeeper arose to his feet and walked with 
catlike steps to the front door. Opening it slightly, he 
peered forth. Then he repeated the performance at the 
remaining doors and windows. Evidently satisfied, he re- 


70 One Conspirator Defeated. 

turned to the desk. Bending over, he said, in a stage 
whisper : 

“Government.” 

“Yes, I know/’ exclaimed Grant, impatiently. “You 
said that before. But for what class of articles ?” 

“Arms and ammunition, my boy. I have inside infor- 
mation. I know that Japan will be at war with China 
before the end of the year. I also know that the govern- 
ment intends to place an order for many millions of car- 
tridges and hundreds of thousands of rifles and revolvers 
within a very short time.” 

“Indeed?” 

“Yes. Now, I represent two firms — one English and 
one German, and we wish to secure a resident agent in 
Japan. I can recommend you to them, and I will on one 
condition.” 

“What is it?” asked Grant, drumming nervously upon 
the desk. 

Nattie leaned forward in evident expectancy. He knew 
that the drumming was an ominous sign on his brother’s 
part, and that a climax was impending. 

“I wish to remain in Yokohama, and I desire a situa- 
tion. If you will give me the same position I formerly 
occupied in this office, I will secure you the good will of 
my firms. What do you say?” 


One Conspirator Defeated. 71 

Grant selected a letter from a pile on the desk and 
glanced over it. He smiled as if particularly well pleased 
at something, and then asked in a suave voice : 

“When did you leave London, Mr. Round ?” 

“Why — er — on the second of last month.” 

“And when did you reach that city after leaving my 
father’s service?” 

“What the deuce? — I mean, about two months later. 
Why do you ask these questions?” 

“Then you have been away from Japan for some time ?” 

“Of course. I could not be in London and in this 
country very well,” replied Round, with a sickly smile. 

“It is certainly strange,” remarked Grant, reading the 
letter again. “Have you a twin brother, sir?” 

At this apparently preposterous query, the visitor lost 
his affability. 

“No, I haven’t,” he almost shouted. “Mr. Manning, I 
did not come here to lose valuable time in answering silly 
questions. I have made you a proposition in good faith. 
Will you please give me a reply ?” 

“So you wish to enter our employ as bookkeeper?” 

“Yes.” 

“And if we engage you we can become the agents 
of your English and German firms in this matter of the 
government contracts ?” 


72 


One Conspirator Defeated. 


“Yes, yes.” 

Grant arose from his chair, and leaning one hand upon 
the desk, he added, impressively : 

“Will you also promise to clear up the mystery of the 
Black debt, Mr. Round?” 

Nattie and Mori, who were keenly watching the visitor’s 
face, saw him pale to the very lips. He essayed to speak, 
but the words refused to come. Finally regaining his 
composure by a violent effort, he replied, huskily : 

“I don’t understand you, Grant. What mystery do you 
mean ?” 

“You know very well, sir.” 

The lame youth’s voice was sharp and cutting. Nerv- 
ously wiping his face, Mr. Round glanced down at the 
floor, then cast a furtive glance at his companions. If ever 
guilt rested in a man’s actions, it did then with those of 
the ex-bookkeeper. He probably recognized the futility of 
his chances, as he started to leave without further words. 
He was not to escape so easily, however. 

“You have not heard my answer to your proposition,” 
called out Grant, with sarcasm. “I’ll tell you now that we 
would not have you in this office if you paid us a bonus 
of a thousand pounds. You had better return to your con- 
federates, Black & Company, and inform them that their 
effort to place a spy in this office has failed.” 


One Conspirator Defeated. 73 

“You will regret these words,” retorted Round, with a 
muttered oath. “I’ll show you that you are not so smart 
as you think.” 

“Have a care, sir,” replied the lame youth. “Perhaps 
we will be able to prove your connection with that debt 
swindle, and send you up for it.” 

“Bah! You are a fool to ” 

He did not finish the sentence. At that juncture, Nat- 
tie, who had been quietly edging his way across the 
office, bounded forward. There was a brief struggle, a 
crash at the door, and suddenly the visitor found himself 
in the street, considerably the worse for the encounter. 

“That’s the proper way to get rid of such callers,” re- 
marked the lad, cheerfully. “Talk is all right in its place, 
but actions are necessary at times. What a scoundrel 
he is!” 

“He is a discovered villain,” said Mori, quaintly. “In 
the expressive language of the American street gamin, 
‘We are on to him.’ He was evidently sent here by the 
Blacks as a spy. By the way, what was in that letter?” 

Grant laughed, and tossed the document to the young 
Japanese. 

“It was simply a bluff. I had an idea the man had not 


74 One Conspirator Defeated. 

left the country, so I pretended to read a letter giving 
that information. He bit beautifully.” 

“One thing is certain,” remarked Mori, with a shrug 
of his shoulders. “We have made an implacable enemy.” 

“What’s the difference ?” chimed in Nattie. “The more 
the merrier. We need not fear anything from Willis 
Round. He’s a dead duck now.” 

“So Black & Company have wind of the impending con- 
tracts, eh?” mused Grant. “I must run up and see Sec- 
retary Udono at once. I think I can prove to him that 
we are worthy of the contracts. Nattie, take this adver- 
tisement and have it inserted in all the foreign and native 
papers. Tell them to place it on the first page in display 
type. We’ll let the world know that we are ready for 
business.” 

“I’ll call on several old friends of my father in the 
morning and bid for the next tea and rice crop,” said 
Mori, jotting down the items in his notebook. “How 
much can we use this quarter ?” 

“All we can secure,” was the prompt reply. “I intend 
to cable our American houses at once. The New York 
and San Francisco firms are good for two shiploads at the 
very least. By the way, Nattie, while you are out just 
drop in on Saigo Brothers and see what they have on 


One Conspirator Defeated. 75 

hand in lacquered novelties. Speak for a good order to go 
on the steamer of the tenth.” 

During the next two hours the three members of the 
new firm were head and ears in business. Grant was in 
his element, and Mori seemed to like the routine also. 
But Nattie presently yawned, and left on his errands. 
Outdoor life was evidently more to his taste. 

In the press of work the incidents connected with the 
visit of Willis Round were forgotten. Grant and Mori 
labored at the office until almost midnight. After attend- 
ing to the advertisements Nattie inspected the company’s 
“go down,” or warehouse, and made preparations for the 
receiving of tea. 

The following day was spent in the same manner, and 
on the second morning the purchases of the firm began 
to arrive. By noon Manning Brothers & Okuma were the 
talk of Yokohama. Grant’s popularity and business repu- 
tation secured him a warm welcome in the trade. 

A force of native clerks was installed in the office un- 
der charge of an expert foreign bookkeeper. It was finally 
decided to assign the drumming up of trade to Grant, and 
the interior buying and selling to Mori. Nattie was to 
have charge of the shipping and the care of the ware- 
house. 


76 One Conspirator Defeated. 

The latter found time, however, to practice for the 
coming wrestling match on the seventh of July. He had 
secured the services of a retired wrestler, and was soon in 
great form. As can be expected, he awaited the eventful 
day with growing impatience. 


CHAPTER IX. 


DISASTER THREATENS. 

Grant Manning was a youth wise beyond his years. 
His continued ill health and his physical frailty kept him 
from mixing with the lads of his age. The seclusion drove 
him to self-communion and study. As a general rule, per- 
sons suffering from physical deformity or lingering sick- 
ness are compensated by an expansion of mind. 

It is the proof of an immutable law. The blinding of 
one eye increases the strength of the other. The deaf 
and dumb are gifted with a wonderful sense of touch. 
Those with crippled legs are strong of arm. The un- 
fortunates with brains awry are endowed with muscles of 
power. 

In Grant’s case his intellect made amends for his de- 
formity of body. He loved commercial work, and the sev- 
eral years passed in the counting-room under his father’s 
regime had made him a thorough master of the business. 

When orders commenced to find their way to the new 
firm he was in his element. As I have stated before, he 
had many friends in Yokohama and the capital, Tokio, 
and the native merchants made haste to open trade with 


7 8 Disaster Threatens. 

him. To aid this prosperity, was the fact that no stain 
rested upon the firm of John Manning & Company. 

The very name was synonymous with honesty, integ- 
rity and merit. Foreign houses established in Eastern 
countries too often treat their customers as uncivilized 
beings destined to be tricked in trade. John Manning 
had never entertained such an unwise policy, and his sons 
now felt the results. 

The announcements in the various papers brought an 
avalanche of contracts and orders. On the fourth day 
after the birth of the new firm, Mori — who was really a 
shrewd, far-seeing youth — had secured the cream of the 
tea and rice crop. He was also promised the first bid for 
silks. 

On his part, Grant had secure^ a satisfactory inter- 
view with the secretary of war in regard to the army con- 
tracts for arms and ammunition. Business was literally 
booming, and every foreign importing firm in Yokohama 
felt the new competition. 

It is not to be supposed that they would permit the trade 
to slip away without an effort to retain it. Not the least 
of those disturbed was the firm of Black & Company, as 
can well be imagined. The merchant and Ralph were 
wild with rage and despair. Orders from various Eng- 


Disaster Threatens. 79 

lish houses were on file for early tea and rice, but the 
market was empty. Mori had been the early bird. 

“If this continues we will have to close our doors,” ex- 
claimed Mr. Black, gloomily. “I could not buy a dozen 
boxes of tea this morning, and we have an order of three 
hundred to leave by to-morrow’s steamer. The fiend take 
that crippled whelp ! He is here, there, and everywhere, 
and the natives in town are begging for his trade.” 

“He will make a pretty penny raising the prices too,” 
replied his son, in the same tone. “Why, he and that 
Japanese fool have made a regular corner in rice.” 

“But he is not going to increase the price, if rumor 
speaks the truth. Although he has control of the crop, 
he ships it to America at the old rates.” 

“That is a shrewd move,” acknowledged Ralph, reluc- 
tantly. “It will make him solid with every firm in the 
United States. What is the matter with all of the old 
merchants, eh ? Fancy a man like you letting a boy get the 
best of him in this manner. If I was the head of an es- 
tablished house and had gray hairs like you I’d quit the 
business.” 

This brutal speech caused the merchant to flush angrily. 
He was on the point of retorting, but he checked himself 
and remained buried in thought for some time. His re- 
flections were bitter. It was humiliating to think that a 


8o 


Disaster Threatens. 


firm of boys should step in and steal the trade from men 
who had spent years in the business. 

The brow of the merchant grew dark. He would not 
stand it. If fair means could not avail, he would resort 
to foul. His conscience, long deadened by trickery, 
formed no bar to his resolution. Striking the desk with 
his open hand, he exclaimed: 

“I will do it no matter what comes.” 

“What’s up now, dad?” asked Ralph, with a show of 
interest. He added, sneeringly: “Are you awakening 
from your ‘Rip Van Winkle’ sleep? Do you think it is 
time to get up and circumvent those fools? Name your 
plan, and I will give you my help with the greatest 
pleasure.” 

“You can assist me. We must destroy the credit of 
the new firm. They have a working capital of only twelve 
or thirteen thousand dollars. I learned this morning that 
they had given notes for ninety days for twice that amount 
of money. It is also said that the firm of Takatsuna & 
Company has sold them ten thousand dollars’ worth of tea 
at sight. Grant arranged for an overdraw with a native 
bank inside of an hour. Now if we can get up a scare, 
Takatsuna will come down on the bank for his money, and 
the bank will call on the Mannings for it.” 


Disaster Threatens. 


81 


“That is a great scheme,” said Ralph, admiringly. “We 
will try it at once.” 

“Go to Round’s hotel and bring him here. In the 
meantime I will finish the details, my son. If all goes 
well, that cripple and his brother will be paupers before 
night.” 

“And we will be able to fill our orders by to-morrow at 
the latest. If Manning Brothers & Okuma fail, the deal- 
ers will gladly come to us.” 

“I do not care a snap of a finger for the tea business,” 
replied Mr. Black, contemptuously. “It is that army con- 
tract I am after. I have been told that Grant has had an 
interview with the secretary. Now, if we don’t kill the 
firm they will have the plum as sure as death. Bring 
Round here without delay.” 

Ralph laughed as he walked to the door. 

“Willis has been in the sulks since he failed to carry 
out our little scheme of placing him in the Manning 
counting-room as a spy. He hates them worse than ever. 
He will prove a valuable ally in the present plan.” 

In the course of an hour he returned with the ex-book- 
keeper. Before noon strange rumors commenced to cir- 
culate among the foreign merchants and the banks. By 
one o’clock the native houses were agog with the news. 
Men met on the Bund and talked over the startling intel- 


82 


Disaster Threatens. 


ligence. At two a representative from the firm of Takat- 
suna called ac the office of Manning Brothers & Okuma. 

“I am very sorry,” he said, “but my firm is in pressing 
need of money. It is short notice, I acknowledge, but we 
must have the ten thousand dollars you owe us for tea 
at once.” 

Grant looked surprised, but he politely sent the repre- 
sentative to the Yokohama bank where the check had been 
negotiated. In half an hour an urgent call came from 
the bank for the senior member of the firm. When Grant 
returned to the office his face wore an anxious expression. 

“Boys, our enemies are at work,” he said. “It is said 
on ’Change that we are pinched for funds. Black & Com- 
pany are urging the native merchants to ask for their bills. 
The bank paid Takatsuna their money, but the directors 
want it refunded at once.” 

He had hardly ceased speaking before a knock sounded 
at the door of the private office. Nattie opened it, giving 
admission to a portly Japanese. The newcomer’s dress 
was disordered, and he appeared wild with anxiety. It 
was the president of the Yokohama bank. 

At his heels were several merchants and half a dozen 
reporters. Ill news travels fast. Regardless of cere- 
mony, the visitors crowded into the office. Grant’s face 
became set, and his eyes glittered. Nattie appeared highly 


Disaster Threatens. 83 

amused. He saw the comical side of the invasion, not the 
serious. 

It was really a critical moment. In commercial circles 
there is nothing more disastrous and credit-snapping than 
a run on a bank, or the failure to promptly pay a bill. 
The standing of a new firm is always uncertain. Like 
gold, it requires time and a trial in the fire of experience. 

Grant realized the danger at once. As the newcomers 
surged into the office, he arose from the desk and grasped 
the back of his chair with a clutch of despair. His 
thoughts traveled fast. He saw the ruin of his hopes, 
the success of his enemies ; and he almost groaned aloud. 

Outwardly he was calm, however. Politely greeting 
the president of the bank, he asked the nature of his busi- 
ness. With feverish hands, the man produced a paper, 
and requested the payment of the ten thousand dollars. 

‘‘Remember, my dear sir, I am first on the spot,” he 
said. 

The words were significant. It meant a call for money 
from all creditors. It meant the swamping of their credit 
and absolute failure. Preserving his calmness, Grant 
picked up the firm’s check-book, and glanced over the 
stubs. 

Of the twenty thousand dollars paid in by Mori, but a 
trifle over one-half remained. There were other creditors 


8 4 


Disaster Threatens. 


at the door. To pay one meant a demand from the others. 
To refuse the payment of the bank’s debt was to be posted 
as insolvent. That meant ruin. 

Sick at heart, Grant was on the point of adopting the 
latter course, when there came a sudden and most unex- 
pected change in the state of affairs. 


CHAPTER X. 


MORI SHOWS HIS GENEROSITY. 

During the scene in the private office of the firm Mori 
had remained silent and apparently indifferent. Appar- 
ently only — those who knew him best would have augured 
from the appearance of the two bright red spots in his 
dark cheeks that he was intensely interested. 

He watched the movements of the crowd at the door, 
he listened to the demand of the bank president, and he 
noted Grant’s struggle to appear calm. Then just as the 
lame youth turned from the check-book to his auditors 
with an announcement of their failure to pay trembling 
upon his lips, the young Japanese introduced himself into 
the proceedings. 

“What is the meaning of this, sir ?” he asked the presi- 
dent, sharply. “What do you wish?” 

“I am here for my money,” was the defiant reply. “I 
have presented the note, and I await payment.” 

“Don’t you think this is rather sudden?” asked Mori, 
with a suspicious calmness in his voice. “It was nego- 
tiated but yesterday. Why this haste?” 

“I want my money,” was the only answer vouchsafed. 


86 Mori Shows His Generosity. 

“And you at the door,” continued the Japanese youth, 
turning his gaze in that direction. “Are you here for the 
same reason ?” 

Some one in the rear rank replied in the affirmative. 

Mori’s eyes flashed. Taking a private check-book 
from his pocket, he rapidly wrote several lines therein, 
and, detaching a leaf, tossed it to Grant. 

“Pay them, every one,” he said, carelessly. “You will 
find that sufficient, I think.” 

The lame youth eagerly read the check, and then his 
face became suffused with emotion. The amount called 
for was thirty thousand dollars! Mori had placed his 
whole fortune to the firm’s account ! Afraid to trust his 
voice, Grant hobbled over to the youthful native, and, in 
the presence of the whole assemblage, threw his arms 
around him. 

“God bless you !” he exclaimed. “You are a friend and 
a man.” 

“Nonsense,” replied Mori, gently. “It is nothing. Pay 
these cattle off, and put them down in your black book. 
Pay them in full and rid the office of the mob for good. 
And, understand,” he added, addressing the bank presi- 
dent and his companions, “we will have no further deal- 
ings with you. Hereafter we will trade with men not 
liable to scare at the slightest rumor.” 


Mori Shows His Generosity. 87 

The official took the check extended him by Grant with 
a crestfallen air. He saw that he had made a mistake 
and had lost the business of the new firm. Too late he 
recalled the fact that he had really heard nothing of mo- 
ment. Rumors had been circulated, but try as he would, 
he could not recollect their source. 

The remaining creditors also suffered a revulsion of 
feeling. Some attempted to slink away, but the three 
members of the firm singled them out one by one, and 
compelled them to accept checks for the amount of their 
bills. 

In an hour eighteen thousand dollars had been paid out, 
but the credit of the firm was saved. When the last 
man had been sent away Nattie and Grant overwhelmed 
the clever young Japanese with congratulations and heart- 
felt thanks. Mori’s modesty equaled his generosity, and 
he threatened them with immediate dissolution if they 
did not refrain. 

“It is nothing, my friends,” he exclaimed, for the hun- 
dredth time. “I am only glad that I was able to furnish 
the money.” 

“You must withdraw the entire amount just as soon as 
it is available,” insisted Grant. “We should hear from 
the American houses within five weeks, and then we will 
return to the old basis.” 


88 Mori Shows His Generosity. 

“I would like to have a photograph of old Black’s face 
when he hears the news,” said Nattie, with a grin. “Or, 
better still, overhear his comments.” 

“It was a shrewd trick, but it failed, I am glad to say,” 
remarked the lame youth. “We must take advantage of 
the opportunity and clinch the effect. Now is the time 
to set our credit upon a solid foundation.” 

Taking several sheets of paper, he scribbled half a 
dozen lines upon them. 

“Nattie, take these to the different newspaper offices, 
and have them inserted in to-morrow’s issues,” he said. 
“Then drop in at the printing office and tell Bates to 
work up a thousand posters to be displayed about town. 
How does this sound ? 

“ ‘to whom it may concern : 

“ ‘A despicable attempt having been made this day by 
certain interested parties to injure the credit of the un- 
dersigned firm, notice is hereby given that all outstand- 
ing bills will be settled in full at ten A. M. to-morrow. 
A reward of one thousand yen is also offered for informa- 
tion leading to the conviction of the person or persons 
starting the slander. 

“ ‘Manning Brothers & Okuma/ ” 

“That is just the thing!” exclaimed Mori. “It could 
not be better. We’ll have the posters distributed broad- 
cast over Yokohama and also Tokio. Make it five in- 


Mori Shows His Generosity. 89 

stead of one thousand, Grant. Really, I believe that lit- 
tle affair will do us a great deal of good. It is an excel- 
lent advertisement.” 

Nattie hurried away to the printing office, and by night 
the two cities were reading the posters. At ten o'clock 
the following morning fully two score merchants had 
called upon the firm, but they came to ask for trade, not 
to present bills. 

The conspiracy had resolved itself into a boomerang, 
and the firm of Manning Brothers & Okuma was more 
prosperous than ever. Black & Son were correspond- 
ingly depressed. The failure of their latest scheme 
caused the elder merchant much humiliation. At a meet- 
ing held in his office, attended by Ralph and Mr. Round, 
it was resolved to stick at nothing to defeat the enemy. 

“It is war to the knife now,” exclaimed the head of the 
firm, grinding his teeth. “Something must be done be- 
fore the first of next month, as the army contracts will be 
awarded then.” 

“And that means a little trifle of twenty thousand 
pounds, eh?” replied the ex-bookkeeper, softly rubbing 
his hands. 

“Yes, one hundred thousand dollars. That is clear 
profit.” 

“Many a man would commit murder for less than that,” 


90 Mori Shows His Generosity. 

mused Ralph, absently stabbing the arm of his chair with 
a penknife. 

Mr. Black gave his son a keen glance. 

“Yes,” he said, in a peculiar tone. “Whole families 
have been put out of the way for as many cents. But,” 
he added, hastily, “there is no such question in our case. 
Ha ! ha ! the idea is simply preposterous !” 

His companions echoed the laugh, but in a strained 
fashion. Ralph continued to stare moodily at the floor. 
After a while Willis Round announced that he had a 
proposition to make. 

“You said a few moments ago that it was war to the 
knife now,” he commenced. 

“Yes.” 

“It is to your interest to ruin the new firm before the 
awarding of the army contracts, eh?”' 

“Certainly. If they are in business by the end of the 
present month they will secure the valuable contracts with- 
out a doubt.” 

“What would you give if they were rendered unable to 
bid for them?” 

The merchant stared at his questioner half contemptu- 
ously. 

“Why do you ask? You do not think you could ruin 
them single-handed?” he asked, banteringly. 


Mori Shows His Generosity. 91 

“Never you mind,” was the dogged reply. “Answer 
my question. What would you give if the contracts 
were placed in your way?” 

“Twenty per cent, of the profits and our assistance in 
any scheme you may propose. Do you really mean to say 
that you have a plan promising success ?” 

The merchant left his chair in his eagerness and ap- 
proached the ex-bookkeeper. Ralph showed a renewed 
interest also. Before replying, Round cautiously opened 
the door leading into the counting-room. After satis- 
fying himself, he talked long and earnestly to his com- 
panions. At the conclusion the faces of the merchant and 
his son were expressive of the liveliest satisfaction. 
There was trouble still in store for the new firm of Man- 
ning Brothers & Okuma. 


CHAPTER XI. 


NATTIE MAKES A DISCOVERY. 

During the important and engrossing events of the 
past few days Nattie had not forgotten the sport promised 
for the seventh of the month. He was passionately fond 
of athletics, and he never let slip an opportunity to partici- 
pate in all that came his way. 

Extensive preparations had been made for the celebra- 
tion of the treaty made by Commodore Perry in the year 
1853. Not only the foreign residents were to take part, 
but the natives themselves promised a great matsura, or 
festival. 

The committee of the Yokohama Club, under whose 
auspices it was to take place, had secured the racing 
grounds upon the bluff. A varied programme had been 
arranged to cover the entire day. The sports had been 
divided into two parts, modern racing and games in the 
forenoon, and ancient native ceremonies after tiffin. 

The main feature of the latter was to be a grand 
wrestling match between foreigners. To add to the in- 
terest, the competitors were to remain unknown to each 
other until the moment of their appearance in the ring. 


93 


Nattie Makes a Discovery. 

Nattie had given in his name among the first. The 
prize offered was a valuable medal and a crown of lau- 
rel. For several days the lad had devoted his idle hours to 
practice with a retired native wrestler. The evening be- 
fore the seventh he was in fine fettle. 

As an added chance, however, he resolved to take one 
more lesson from his instructor — a final bout to place him 
in good trim for the morrow. The scene of the practice 
matches was in the large “go-down,” or warehouse, of 
the firm, located near a canal separating the bluff from 
the native quarter. 

The appointment for the evening was at nine, and 
shortly before that hour Nattie left a tea house on his 
way to the place of destination. The day had been sultry, 
and toward nightfall threatening clouds gathered over 
the bay. 

Rain promised, but that fact did not deter the lad. As 
his ’rikisha sped along the Bund he recalled the points 
already taught him by his master in the art of wrestling, 
and he fancied the ringing of cheers and the outburst of 
plaudits were already greeting him. 

The Manning “go-down” was a large square structure 
of stone, with iron shutters and massive doors. It was 
considered fireproof, and had as a watchman a brawny 
Irishman recently paid off from a sailing ship. His name 


94 Nattie Makes a Discovery. 

was Patrick Cronin, and he claimed to be an American 
by naturalization. 

On reaching the entrance Nattie looked around for the 
fellow, but he was not in sight. Taking a key from his 
pocket, he opened a narrow door leading into a little cor- 
ner office. As he passed inside there came a wild gust of 
wind and a downpour of rain. The storm had burst. 

“Good job I arrived in time/’ muttered the lad. “Whew ! 
how it does pour down. Looks as if it has started in 
for three or four hours at least. If it keeps on I needn’t 
expect old Yokoi. I wonder where Patrick is?” 

He whistled shrilly and thumped upon the floor with 
his cane, but only the echoes came to his ears. After a 
moment of thought he lighted a lantern and sat down 
near a window opening upon a narrow alley running be- 
tween the building and the canal. 

The absence of the watchman was certainly strange. 
It was his duty to report at the “go-down” at six o’clock. 
In fact, Nattie had seen him that very evening. The 
building was full of valuable silks, teas, and lacquered 
ware, intended for shipment on the following day. 

Thieves were rampant along the canal, several daring 
robberies having occurred during the past week. Then 
again there was always the danger of fire. As the lad 


Nattie Makes a Discovery. 95 

sat in his chair and thought over the possible results of 
the Irishman’s dereliction, he grew thoroughly indignant. 

“By George ! he’ll not work for us another day,” he 
muttered, giving the stick a vicious whirl. “I’ll wager a 
yen he is in some groggery at this very moment drinking 
with a chance shipmate.” 

Going to the door he glanced out into the night. The 
rain was still descending in torrents, and it was of that 
steadiness promising a continuation. When Nattie re- 
turned to his seat it was with the resolution to keep 
guard over the firm’s property himself. 

It meant a long and lonely watch with naught save the 
beating of the rain, the dreary gloom of the interior, and 
the murmuring sounds from the nearby bay for com- 
pany. The lad had a stout heart, however, and he set- 
tled himself for the vigil without more ado. 

He found comfort in the anticipation of a scene with 
the recreant watchman in the morning. He made up his 
mind even to refuse him admission if he returned to the 
“go down” that night. The minutes dragged slowly, and 
at last the watcher found himself nodding. 

“Jove! this won’t do,” he exclaimed, springing from 
his chair. “I am as bad as Patrick. The lantern is going 
out also. Wonder if I have any matches in my pocket?” 

He searched, but without favorable results. A hasty 


g6 Nattie Makes a Discovery. 

examination revealed the unwelcome fact that the oil re- 
ceptacle was empty. In another moment the light flick- 
ered and died out, leaving the little office in darkness. 

Disturbed in spirit, Nattie went to the door, almost in- 
clined to visit some neighboring warehouse or shop 
for oil and matches. One glance at the deluge still fall- 
ing drove the idea from his head. He was without um- 
brella or rain coat, and to venture for even a short dis- 
tance would mean a thorough drenching — something to 
be religiously avoided in Japan during the summer season. 

“Heigho! I am in for it, I suppose. Confound that 
Irishman! I would like to punch his empty noddle for 
this. Here I am in the dark, condemned to remain all 
night without sleep, and — by jingo !” 

A very sudden and painful thought had occurred to the 
lad. The morrow was the day upon which he was to 
shine as a wrestler! The seventh of July; the day of 
sports in celebration of Commodore Perry’s treaty. 

‘Til be fit for athletics and wrestling matches if I stay 
around here and lose my sleep!” murmured Nattie, rue- 
fully. '‘Why, I’ll be all played out, and a five-year-old 
boy could throw me. But what in thunder can I do? 
I can’t leave and run the risk of the place catching fire. 
There’s more than twenty thousand dollars’ worth of 


Nattie Makes a Discovery. 97 

stuff in here, and it would be just nuts to a thief to find 
himself among all those silks.” 

It was impossible to communicate with either Grant or 
Mori. The streets in the warehouse district were unfre- 
quented, and in such a violent storm even the policemen 
would hie themselves to a convenient shelter. Mutter- 
ing maledictions upon the head of the absent watchman, 
Nattie closed the door and returned to his seat near the 
window. 

Occasional flashes of lightning illuminated the outside, 
and during one of these the lad espied a man crossing the 
bridge at the corner of the building. Thinking it might 
be some kindly person who would not disdain to carry a 
message, he hurried to the door leading into the street. 

As he opened it he heard voices. The newcomer had 
paused and was looking back at the indistinct figure of a 
second man on the other sid j of the canal. In the inter- 
vals of light Nattie observed the person nearest him start 
back and evidently expostulate with his follower. 

They were barely ten yards away, and by the aid of a 
brilliant flash of lightning the lad noticed something fa- 
miliar in the appearance of both men. One was tall and 
thin, while the other had a short, stumpy form and a roll- 
ing lurch as he wavered vaguely near the end of the 
bridge. 


98 


Nattie Makes a Discovery. 


“Get back, man. What do you want to come out in 
this wet for when you have a cozy nook in yon house? 
Go back, I say.” 

It was the attenuated individual who had spoken. He 
placed one hand upon his companion’s arm, but the fellow 
staggered away and replied: 

“Got — hie — my dooty ter do. Oi’m too long away as 
’tis, m’ boy. Dash ther — hie — rain. It ain’t wetter in 
th’ blooming ocean, knife me if ’tis.” 

“You are a fool to come out in it, I say. Return to 
the house, and I’ll join you presently. There are three 
more bottles of prime stuff in the closet. Break one out 
and help yourself.” 

“But me dooty, man ! It has never been said that — 
hie — Pat Cronin ever went back on a job. Ask me ship- 
mates. Why, they sing er song about me : 

“ ‘So he seized th’ capstan bar. 

Like a true honest tar, 

And in spite or tears and sighs 
Sung yo ! heave ho !’ ” 

“Shut up; you will have the police after us,” expostu- 
lated the other. “Do you intend to return to the house, 
or shall I lock up the bottles? Answer me, yes or no?” 

“Sure and Oi don’t want to lose th’ drink, but ” 

“Yes, or no?” 


Nattie Makes a Discovery. 99 

“Ah, it’s th’ funny man ye are. He! he! he! Fhwy 
don’t yer git fat ? If Oi ” 

“Then it is 'no,’ eh? Well, here ” 

“Hould an, me buck. Oi’ll go back and take another 
swig. Then to me dooty, yer understand. Here goes. 

“‘So he seized th’ (hie) capstan bar. 

Like a true honest tar, 

And in spite of ’ ” 

The husky notes died away, a door slammed in one of 
a row of wooden shanties across the bridge, and all was 
quiet. The tall, thin man glanced keenly after his com- 
panion ; then, slipping up to the Manning “go-down,” he 
examined the entrance. It was locked. Inserting a key 
he soon gained admission. As he softly closed the door 
again he stood within a pace of Nattie. 

It had not taken the lad many seconds to catch the drift 
of affairs. He knew full well that Patrick’s tempter was 
no other than Willis Round, the firm’s ex-bookkeeper. 
His presence in that locality during a heavy storm, his 
familiarity with the recreant watchman, the evident and 
successful attempt to entice him away from his post, could 
have only one meaning. 

He had designs on the property of his enemies. 

Long before Patrick had lurched back to the shanty 
Nattie had slipped into the office. When he heard the 


L.cfC. 


ioo Nattie Makes a Discovery. 

key grating in the lock he was not surprised ; but he was 
considerably puzzled as to the best manner in which he 
should treat the situation. 

“If I only had my revolver I would bring the scoundrel 
to terms/’ he muttered, regretfully. “I had to leave it 
home this night of all nights. As it is, I haven’t a soli- 
tary weapon. A bamboo cane wouldn’t hurt a fly. Ah, 
I’ll try the lantern.” 

Creeping across the floor he secured the object just as 
the ex-bookkeeper reached the door. Returning to his 
post, the lad waited with rapidly beating heart. 


CHAPTER XII. 

THE STRUGGLE IN THE “GO-DOWN.” 

That Willis Round meant injury was plainly evident. 
But whether he came as a thief or incendiary was yet to 
be ascertained. He knew the ground well, so he lost little 
time in entering. After closing the door he hesitated. 

At his elbow stood the brave lad with lantern raised in 
readiness. At the first sign of a light, or the scratch of 
a match, he meant to strike with all the power of his 
arm. The lantern was a heavy iron affair, and Willis 
Round was as near death at that moment as he probably 
had been during his eventful career. 

His knowledge of the “go-down's” interior saved him. 
After a brief pause he started toward the main portion of 
the warehouse. At his heels crept Nattie, silent, deter- 
mined, resolute. 

The main room of the warehouse was crowded with 
bales of silk, chests of tea, and various boxes containing 
lacquered ware. These had been arranged in an orderly 
manner with passageways extending between the differ- 
ent piles. 

In one thing the lad had an advantage; he was thor- 


102 The Struggle in the “Go-down.” 


oughly conversant with the arrangement of the goods, 
while Round had only a general knowledge of the in- 
terior. The latter stumbled several times, but he made 
no move to show a light. 

Presently Nattie felt his curiosity aroused. What 
could be the man’s object? Was it theft of valuable silks 
or deliberate incendiarism ? That the fellow had a certain 
destination in view was made evident by his actions. 

During the day the place was lighted by large glazed 
windows at the ends and on each side, but at night these 
were closed with iron shutters. In the roof were several 
long skylights, and through them an occasional glare 
came from the lightning, which still fitfully shot athwart 
the sky. 

It was by the aid of one of these that the lad finally saw 
the intruder halt near a pile of tea chests. The flash 
lasted only an instant, but it brought out in clear relief 
the attenuated figure of the scoundrel. He was standing 
within reach of a number of boxes packed ready for ship- 
ment on the morrow. 

They were wrapped in straw matting, and nearby was 
a little heap of the same material to be used on other 
chests. It was highly inflammable. This fact recurred 
to the lad with startling significance, and he involuntarily 
hurried forward. 


The Struggle in the “Godown.” 103 

Before he could realize his mistake he was within a 
step of Round. A slight cough from the latter caused 
Nattie to abruptly check himself. With a gasp of ex- 
citement he shrank back, and slipped behind a large bale 
of silks. 

The next moment a blinding flash of lightning revealed 
the interior of the warehouse. Before it died away the 
plucky lad peered forth, but only to find that a change 
had taken place in affairs. The ex-bookkeeper was not 
in sight. 

It was an unwelcome discovery, to say the least. With 
the enemy in view, it was easy to keep track of his inten- 
tions. Now he might be retreating to any part of the 
vast “go-down” where in temporary security he could 
start a conflagration at his leisure. 

“I must find him at all hazards,” muttered Nattie, some- 
what discomfited. “Why didn’t I bring matters to a 
point in the office ? or why didn’t I strike him down while 
I had the chance a moment ago? I’ll not fool any more.” 

Grasping the iron lantern in readiness for instant use, 
he slipped forward step by step. At every yard he paused 
and listened intently. The silence was both oppressive 
and ominous. He would have given a great deal if even 
a rustle or a sigh had reached his ears. 


104 The Struggle in the “Go-down.” 


As time passed without incident the lad grew bolder. 
His anxiety spurred him on. He hastened his move- 
ments and peered from side to side in vain endeavor to 
pierce the gloom. Where had the man gone ? Probably 
he was even then preparing to strike the match that would 
ignite the building. 

Unable to endure longer the suspense, Nattie swung 
into a side aisle and ran plump into some yielding object. 
There was a muttered cry of surprise and terror; then, 
in the space of a second, the interior resounded with 
shouts and blows and the hubbub of a struggle. 

At the very start Nattie lost his only weapon. In the 
sudden and unexpected collision the lantern was dashed 
from his hand. Before he could recover it he felt two 
sinewy arms thrown about his middle, then with a tug 
he was forced against a bale. 

It required only a moment for the athletic lad to free 
himself. Long training at sports and games came to 
his aid. Wriggling toward the floor, he braced himself 
and gave a mighty upward heave. At the same time, 
finding his arms released, he launched out with both 
clinched fists. 

There was a thud, a stifled cry, and then a pile of tea 
chests close at hand fell downward with a loud crash. 


The Struggle in the “Go-down.” 105 

Quick to realize his opportunity, Nattie slipped away and 
placed a large box between his antagonist and himself. 

The scrimmage had only served to increase his anxiety 
and anger. When he regained his breath he called out, 
hotly : 

“You confounded scoundrel, I’ll capture you yet. I 
know you, Willis Round, and if this night’s work don’t 
place you in prison it’ll not be my fault.” 

The words had hardly passed his lips when the lad was 
unceremoniously brought to a realization of his mistake. 
There was a whiz and a crash and a small box dropped 
to the floor within a foot of him. He lost no time in 
shifting his position. 

“Aha ! two can play at that game,” he muttered. 

Picking up a similar object, he was on the point of 
throwing it haphazard when he became aware of a loud 
knocking in the direction of the door. Almost frantic 
with relief and joy, he dropped the missile and started 
toward the spot. 

Fortunately gaining the little apartment without mis- 
hap, he inserted his key in the lock with trembling hands, 
and attempted to turn it. Just then a maudlin voice came 
from outside: 

“Phwere is the lock, Oi wonder? By the whiskers av 


io6 The Struggle in the “Go-down.” 

St. Patrick, Oi never saw such a night. Cronin, ye 
divil, yer fuller than Duffy’s goat. But ye are a good 
fellow. 

“ ‘So Oi seized th’ capstan bar, 

Like a true honest tar, 

And in spite 

“Murther ! Oi can’t git in at all, at all. Oi’ll go back 
to the bottle. Me new friend has — hie — left me, but Oi 
have his whiskey. Here goes for th’ house once more.” 

Disgusted at the discovery that it was only the tipsy 
watchman, Nattie had again made his way back into the 
“go-down” proper. As he crossed the threshold of the 
door leading from the office, he heard the rattling of iron. 

The sound came from the far end. A second later 
there was a faint crash, and a gust of wind swept through 
the vast apartment. 

“He has opened a window. He is trying to escape.” 

Throwing all caution away, the lad recklessly dashed 
down the central passageway. It did not take him long 
to reach the spot. The fury of the storm caused the 
opened shutter to swing back and forth with a melan- 
choly grinding of the hinges. 

Climbing upon the sill, Nattie slipped through the open- 
ing and dropped outside. He had barely reached the 
ground when he was suddenly seized, and, with a fierce 


The Struggle in the “Go-down.” 107 

effort, sent staggering across the walk separating the 
building from the canal. 

He made a frantic effort to save himself, but it was too 
late. With a shrill cry trembling upon his lips, he felt 
himself falling through space; then, with a loud splash, he 
struck the water’s surface ! 


CHAPTER XIII. 


WILLIS ROUND ESCAPES. 

No man, or boy, for that matter, knows just what he 
can do until put to the test. We may think we know the 
limit of our strength or endurance, but we cannot prove 
it until an emergency arises. Then we are often found 
mistaken in our previous surmises, and, need it be said, 
much to our amazement. 

Nature is a wise mother. She has provided in all a re- 
serve force which only needs the touch of an exigency to 
cause it to appear full powered. A task is set before you 
— you cannot do it in your opinion ; but you try — and suc- 
ceed. You are in peril; only a miracle of strength or 
shrewdness will save you. Involuntarily you act, and, 
lo ! the miracle comes from your good right arm or your 
brain. 

A lad learning to swim places a dozen yards as the ex- 
tent of his powers. He enters the water; is carried be- 
yond his depth; swept away by an undertow, and swims 
successfully the length of three city blocks. It was his 
reserve force and the stimulating fear of death that 
brought him safely to shore. 


Willis Round Escapes. 109 

When Nattie Manning felt himself falling into the 
canal, sent there by Willis Round’s cunning arm, he 
realized only one emotion, and that was rage — overpow- 
ing, consuming anger. He was wild with wrath to think 
that he had been tricked by the ex-bookkeeper, and the 
flames of his passion were not lessened by discomfiture. 

It seemed that he had barely touched the water before 
he was out, climbing hand over hand up the jagged stone 
side. To this day he does not know how he emerged so 
quickly, or by what latent force of muscle he dragged 
himself to the passageway. 

He gained the spot, however, and, thoroughly satu- 
rated with water, set out at the top of his speed after his 
assailant, whose shadowy figure scurried along in front of 
him toward the bay. What the lad hoped to accomplish 
he could not well tell himself, but he continued the pur- 
suit with the keen determination of a bloodhound. 

A short distance back of the “go-down,” a narrow 
street ran from the bluff to the center of the city. It 
crossed the canal with the aid of a low bridge, and was 
occupied by storehouses. 

The storm was passing away. The rain had slackened 
perceptibly, and the wind had died down to occasional 
puffs. In the south lightning could still be seen, but it 
was the mere glowing of atmospheric heat. 


IIO 


Willis Round Escapes. 


In that part of Yokohama devoted to mercantile ware- 
houses, the street lamps were few and far between. There 
was one at the junction of the bridge and passageway, 
however, and when Nattie dashed into its circle of illumi- 
nation, he suddenly found himself confronted by a uni- 
formed policeman. 

The latter immediately stretched out his arms and 
brought the lad to a halt. Then drawing his short- 
sword, he demanded in peremptory tones the meaning of 
his haste. Seeing the futility of resisting the official, Nat- 
tie hurriedly made known his identity, and explained the 
events of the night. 

Brief as was the delay, when the two started in pursuit 
of the fugitive, enough time had been wasted to permit 
him to escape. A hasty search of the neighborhood 
brought no results. Willis Round was out of reach. 

“No matter/’ remarked the lad, at last. “I know him, 
and it won’t be difficult to apprehend the scoundrel.” 

Returning to the “go-down” with the officer, he closed 
the window and then dispatched the man to the nearest 
messenger office with a note for Grant. In due time the 
police official returned with assistance. Patrick Cronin 
was found helplessly intoxicated in a nearby house, and 
unceremoniously lugged away to jail. 

The lame youth was prompt in his appearance on the 


Ill 


Willis Round Escapes. 

scene. He brought with him a servant of the family, 
who was installed as watchman until the morrow. Re- 
lieved from his responsibility, Nattie accompanied his 
brother home, and after explaining the affair in detail, 
proceeded to take the rest he needed for the wrestling 
match of the next day. 

On reporting at the office the following morning, he 
found Grant and Mori still discussing Willis Round’s 
actions. A report from the police stated that nothing 
had been accomplished. The fugitive was still at liberty, 
and in all probability had left the city. 

“I’ll wager a yen he is speeding as fast as the train can 
carry him to either Nagasaki or Kobi,” remarked Mori. 
“He’ll try to get a ship and leave the country,” 

Grant shook his head doubtfully. 

“In my opinion, he will not do that,” he said. “There 
are too many places in the interior where he can hide 
until this affair blows over.” 

“If the scoundrel ever shows his face in Yokohama 
I’ll see that he is placed behind the bars,” exclaimed Nat- 
tie, vindictively. “He deserves little mercy at our hands. 
If an all-wise Providence had not sent me to the ‘go- 
down’ last night we would now be considerably out of 
pocket.” 

“What will we do with Patrick Cronin?” 


1 12 Willis Round Escapes. 

“Discharge him; that’s all. We can’t prove any con- 
nection with Round. The latter simply tempted him 
away from his d^jty with a bottle of whiskey. It will be 
impossible to bring a criminal charge against the Irish- 
man.” 

“I will see that he remains in jail for a couple of weeks, 
anyway,” decided Grant. “He deserves some punish- 
ment.” 

“When shall we close up?” asked Nattie, gayly. “This 
is a great holiday, you know. We are due at the race 
track by ten.” 

“It’s a quarter past nine now,” replied the young Japa- 
nese, looking at his watch. “Suppose we start at once?” 

The suggestion was acted upon with alacrity. Leav- 
ing the office in charge of a native watchman, the three 
youths took jinrikishas and proceeded to the “bluff,” 
where the sports of the day were to take place. 

The storm of the preceding night had ended in delight- 
ful weather. The tropical rays of the sun were tempered 
by a cooling breeze from the bay. The air was glorious 
with briskness, and so clear that the majestic peak of 
Fuji San seemed within touch. 

The city was in gala attire. Banners of all nations 
were flaunting in the breeze, but after the Japanese flag 
of the Rising Sun, the grand old Stars and Stripes pre- 


Willis Round Escapes. 113 

dominated. It could not be said tha* the firm of Man- 
ning- Brothers & Okuma had failed in patriotism. 

Streaming from a lofty flagstaff on the roof was an im- 
mense American ensign, and draping the fagade of the 
building were others intertwined with the standard of the 
country. The streets were decorated with arches and 
bunting, and every second native wore a little knot of red, 
white and blue. 

It was a unique celebration, from one point of view. 
Many years before, the gallant Commodore Perry had 
sailed into the Bay of Yokohama with a message of good 
will from the then President of the United States to the 
ruler of Japan. 

At that time the island kingdom was walled in by im- 
passable bulwarks of exclusiveness and hatred of for- 
eigners. For thousands of years she had calmly pursued 
her course of life, lost to civilization, and satisfied with 
her reign of idols and depths of barbarism. 

It required a strong hand to force a way to the central 
power, and time waited until the Yankee commodore ap- 
peared with his fleet of ships. Other nations had tried to 
pierce the barrier. England, France, Germany made re- 
peated attempts, but were repulsed. 

The Dutch secured a foothold of trade, but on the most 
degrading terms. Their representatives were compelled 


Willis Round Escapes. 


114 

to approach the mikado and grovel upon their knees with 
heads bowed in the dust. In this debasing attitude were 
they greeted with the contempt they deserved, and as 
slaves to Japan. 

Much as Americans desired commercial relations with 
the country, they would not accept them with humility. 
In the selection of an envoy the United States could not 
have decided on a better man than Commodore Perry, 
brother of the hero of Lake Erie. 

Firm, implacable, intelligent, and generous withal, he 
was the fitting choice. On reaching Japan he was met 
with refusals and evasions. He persisted, and finally the 
august ruler sent a minor official to confer with the for- 
eigner. 

“I am here as personal representative of the United 
States of America, and I will see no one save the mikado 
himself, or his highest official,” replied the bluff naval 
officer. “I have ten ships and two hundred guns, and 
here I stay until I am received with the formalities due 
my President.” 

He finally won the point, and after the usual delay, a 
treaty was made between the two countries, to the amaze- 
ment of the civilized world. This was the entering wedge 
which resulted in the Japan of to-day. Lifted from her 
barbarism, she has reached a high plane among nations. 


Willis Round Escapes. 115 

Small wonder that her people celebrate the anniversary, 
and honor the memory of the immortal Commodore 
Perry. 

With apologies for this digression, I will again take up 
the thread of the story. 


CHAPTER XIV. 


THE BEGINNING OF THE CELEBRATION. 

En route to the “bluff” the boys came upon a curious 
procession. As stated above, the whole town was en* 
joying a matsura , or festival. As Nattie aptly remarked, 
it was the Fourth of July, Decoration Day and Christmas 
thrown into one. 

In the present case the spectacle was one calculated to 
make a foreigner imagine himself in the interior of Africa. 
Approaching the jinrikishas occupied by Grant and his 
companions was a bullock cart, upon which a raised plat- 
form and scaffolding twenty feet high had been con- 
structed. 

The bullock and all were covered with paper decora- 
tions, green boughs and artificial flowers. In front a girl 
with a grotesque mask danced and postured, while a 
dozen musicians twanged impossible instruments and kept 
up an incessant tattoo on drums. 

On foot around the bashi, as the whole structure is 
called, were twenty or thirty lads naked as to their legs, 
their faces chalked, their funny little heads covered with 


The Beginning of the Celebration. 117 

straw hats a yard wide, and their bodies clad in many-col- 
ored tunics, decked out with paper streamers and flowers. 

In front, on all sides, behind, and even under the wheels, 
were scores of children marching to the tune of the band 
— if it could be so called — much as the youths of America 
do in the processions, be it circus or otherwise, in our 
country. 

The boys forming the guard to the bullock cart marched 
step by step with military precision, chanting at the top 
of their voices, and banging upon the ground a long iron 
bar fitted with loose rings. 

The colors, the songs, the dance and the clanging iron, 
formed together a combination calculated to draw the at- 
tention of every person not deaf, dumb and blind. To the 
boys it was a common sight, and they bade their karu- 
mayas hurry forward away from the din. 

On reaching the field on the “bluff,” they found an im- 
mense throng awaiting the commencement of ceremonies. 
The race track had been laid out in fitting style, and in- 
numerable booths, tents and kiosks filled two-thirds of 
the space. 

The morning hours were to be devoted to ancient Jap- 
anese games, and the time after tiffin to modern sports 
and matches, including the event of the day, the wrestling. 
Mori Okuma — an athlete in both European and native 


n8 The Beginning of the Celebration. 

sports — was listed in a bout at Japanese fencing, so he 
left his companions for a dressing-tent. 

Nattie and Grant glanced over the vast concourse of 
people, and exchanged bows with their many friends. 
The Americans and English in foreign countries keep 
green in their memory the land of their birth, and in all 
places where more than one foreigner can be found a club 
is organized. 

It is a sort of oasis in the desert of undesirable neigh- 
bors, and forms a core around which cluster good fellow- 
ship and the habits and customs of home. The Strangers’ 
Club in Yokohama had a membership of six hundred, 
and they were well represented in the present assemblage. 

Grant and Nattie were well-known members, and they 
counted their friends by the hundred. In looking over 
the field the latter espied a group in the grand stand 
which immediately attracted his attention. He pointed 
them out to his brother. 

“There is Mr. Black and the two German merchants,” 
he said. “They have their heads together as if discussing 
some weighty problem. I wonder where Ralph is ? He 
is interested in athletics.” 

“Til wager a yen he is about somewhere. So the Ger- 
mans are hobnobbing with our esteemed enemy, eh? I’ll 
warrant we are the subject of conversation. I don’t like 


The Beginning of the Celebration. 119 

the way Swartz and Bauer conduct business, and I guess 
they know it. They can form an alliance if they wish to. 
We needn’t lose any sleep over it.” 

“There comes Ralph. He is looking in this direction. 

I wonder what he thinks about the failure of his con- 
federate, Willis Round, to injure us ? To the deuce with 
them, anyway ! The fencing is about to commence.” 

The clapping of hands and a prolonged cheer pro- 
claimed the beginning of the sports. The yobidashi , or 
caller-out, took his stand upon a decorated box, and an- 
nounced a bout at fencing between the ever-pleasant and 
most worthy importing merchant, Mori Okuma, and the 
greatly-to-be-admired doctor-at-law, Hashimoto Choye. 

At the end of this ceremonious proclamation he intro- 
duced our friend and his antagonist. Both were small in 
stature, and they presented rather a comical appearance. 
Each was padded out of all proportions with folds of felt 
and leather. Upon their heads were bonnet-shaped hel- 
mets of metal, and each wore a jacket of lacquered pieces 
decidedly uncomfortable to the eye. 

At the word of command attendants rushed in with the 
weapons. These were not broadswords, rapiers, nor cut- 
lasses, but a curious instrument composed of a number of" 
strips of bamboo, skillfully wrought together and bound. 


120 The Beginning of the Celebration. 

The end was covered with a soft skin bag, and the handle 
was very much like that of an ordinary sword. 

Armed with these the combatants faced each other, and 
at the sound of a mellow bell fell to with the utmost feroc- 
ity. Slash, bang, whack, went the weapons; the fencers 
darted here and there, feinted, prodded, cut and parried, 
as if they had to secure a certain number of strikes before 
the end of the bout. 

It was all very funny to those unaccustomed to the Jap- 
anese style of fencing, and the naval officers from the 
various warships in port roared with laughter. To the 
natives it was evidently deeply interesting, and they 
watched the rapid play of the weapons as we do the gyra- 
tions of our favorite pitcher in the national game. 

At the end of five minutes the game was declared fin- 
ished. The umpire, an official of the city government, de- 
cided in favor of Mori, and that youth fled to the dressing- 
tent to escape the plaudits of the audience. He received 
the congratulations of Grant and Nattie with evident 
pleasure, however. 

The next item on the programme was a novel race be- 
tween trained storks. Then came a creeping match be- 
tween a score of native youngsters, and so the morning 
passed with jugglery and racing and many sports of the 
ancient island kingdom. 


The Beginning of the Celebration. 12 1 

At noon tiffin was served to the club and its guests in 
a large pavilion placed in the center of the grounds. The 
ceremonies recommenced at two o’clock with a running 
match between a dozen trained athletes. Of all the spec- 
tators, probably the happiest was Grant Manning. 

Deprived of participation in the various sports by his 
deformity, he seemed to take a greater interest from that 
very fact. He clapped his hands and shouted with glee 
at every point, and was the first to congratulate the win- 
ners as they left the track. 

The time for the great event of the v dfay finally arrived. 
At three the master of ceremonies, clad in kamishimo, 
or ancient garb, mounted his stand and announced in 
stentorian tones : 

“The next event on the programme will be a contest 
in wrestling between six gentlemen of this city. Those 
persons whose names are listed with the secretary will re- 
port in the dressing-tent.” 

“That calls me,” cried Nattie, gayly. “Boys, bring out 
your rabbits’ feet and your lucky coins.” 

“You don’t know the name of your antagonist?” asked 
Mori. 

“No; nor will I until we enter the ring. Small matter. 


122 The Beginning of the Celebration. 

I feel in fine trim, and I intend to do the best I can. So 
long.” 

“Luck with you, Nattie,” called out all within hearing, 
casting admiring glances after the handsome, athletic lad. 

'Directly in front of the grand stand a ring had been 
constructed something after the fashion of the old-time 
circus ring. The surface was sprinkled with a soft, black 
sand, and the ground carefully leveled. Overhead 
stretched a canopy of matting, supported by a number of 
bamboo poles wrapped in red, white and blue bunting. 

At the four corners of the arena were mats for the 
judges, and in the center an umpire in gorgeous costume 
took his place. By permission of the Nomino Sakune 
Jinsha Society, which controls the national game of wres- 
tling in the empire, their hereditary judges were to act 
in the present match. 

After Nattie disappeared in the dressing-tent a short 
delay occurred. As usual, the audience indicated their 
impatience with shouts and calls, and the ever-present 
small boy made shrill noises upon various quaint instru- 
ments. 

Suddenly a herald with a trumpet emerged from the 
tent, and the vast concourse became quiet. He sounded 
a blast, the canvas flaps of two openings were pulled aside, 




The Beginning of the Celebration. 123 

and two lads bare as to chest and with legs clad in trunks 
bounded into the arena. 

A murmur of surprise came from the audience; the 
antagonists faced each other, and then glared a bitter de- 
fiance. From one entrance had come Nattie Manning, 
and from the other — Ralph Black ! 

ft 


CHAPTER XV. 


THE WRESTLING MATCH. 

Nattie’s several encounters with the younger member 
of the English firm had. been duly discussed in the club, 
and the discomfiture of the elder merchant during his call 
upon Grant had been a toothsome morsel for the gossiperg 
of the city. 

The enmity between the houses of Manning and Black 
was the common talk among the foreigners of Yoko- 
hama. They were aware of the cause of the trouble, and 
knew the suspicions concerning the payment of the now- 
famous debt. 

And when the opening of the flaps in the dressing-tent 
had disclosed the youths destined to face each other for 
the supremacy of the wrestling ring, a murmuring sound 
rolled through the concourse like the echoes of a passing 
wind. 

“It’s young Black and Nattie Manning!” cried more 
than one. “Whew ! there will be a warm tussle now.” 

Over in one corner of the grand stand Grant and Mori 
sat in amazement. The denouement was entirely unex- 
pected to them. Not long did they remain silent. Up 


The Wrestling Match. 125 

sprang the lame youth, his kindly face glowing with ex- 
citement. Mounting a vacant chair despite his infirmity, 
he shook a bundle of English notes in the air, and 
shouted : 

“Ten to one on my brother ! Ten to one ! ten to one ! 
Twenty pounds even that he secures the first two points ! 
Whoop! where are the backers of the other side? I’ll 
make it fifteen to one in five-pound notes. Who will 
take the bet?” 

In the meantime Mori had not been idle. Forcing his 
way directly to where Mr. Black was sitting with the Ger- 
mans, he shook a bag of coin in the air, and dared them 
to place a wager with him. Following his example came 
half a dozen American friends of the new firm, and pres- 
ently the grand stand resounded with the cries of eager 
bettors. 

Down in the arena Nattie and Ralph stood confronting 
one another like tigers in a forest jungle. The former’s 
face was set with determination. He had long wished 
for just such an opportunity. It had come at last. 

Ralph’s face wore a peculiar pallor. It was not fear, 
but rather that of one who felt the courage of despera- 
tion. He well knew there was little difference in phys- 
ical strength between them, but he appeared to lack the 
stamina of honesty and merit. 


126 The Wrestling Match. 

Both lads were in the pink of condition, and they 
formed a picture appealing to the hearts of all lovers of 
athletics. There was not an ounce of superfluous flesh 
on either. If anything, Ralph was slightly taller, but 
Nattie’s arms gave promise of greater length and muscle. 

Presently the din in the grand stand ceased. Wagers 
had been given and taken on both sides with great free- 
dom. Grant had collapsed into a chair with his purse 
empty and his notebook covered with bets. Mori was 
still seeking takers with great persistency. 

A blast was sounded on the herald’s trumpet, and the 
eyes of the vast audience were centered on the ring. The 
judges took their places, the umpire hopped to the mid- 
dle, and with a wave of his fan gave the signal. 

Nattie and Ralph faced each other, eye to eye. Slowly 
sinking down until their hands rested upon their knees, 
they waited for an opportunity to grapple. 

The silence was intense. The far-away echoes of a 
steamer’s whistle came from the distant bay. A chant of 
voices sounding like the murmur of humming-birds was 
wafted in from a neighboring temple. The hoarse croak- 
ing of a black crow — the city’s scavenger — came from a 
circling figure overhead. 

A minute passed. 

Nattie straightened. Ralph followed his example. 


The Wrestling Match. 12 7 

Warily they approached each other. Face to face, and 
eye to eye; intent upon every step, they began to march 
sideways; always watching, always seeking for an open- 
ing. Their hands twitched in readiness for a dash, a 
grip, a tug. 

Each had his weight thrown slightly forward, and his 
shoulders slouched a little, watching for an unwary move. 
Nattie feinted suddenly. His right arm darted out, he 
touched Ralph’s shoulder, but the English youth dodged, 
only to be grasped by the waist by his antagonist’s left 
hand. 

There was a sharp tug, a whirl of the figures, then they 
broke away, each still upon his feet. A vast sigh came 
from the audience, and Grant chuckled almost deliriously. 

The antagonists rested, still confronting each other. 
Ralph’s pallor had given way to an angry flush. His 
lips moved as if muttering oaths. Nattie remained cool 
and imperturbable. His was the advantage. Coolness 
in combat is half the battle. Those in the audience that 
had risked their money upon the merchant’s son began to 
regret their actions. 

The match was not won, however. 

At the end of five minutes a signal came from the um- 
pire. Before the flash of his brilliantly decorated fan had 


128 


The Wrestling Match. 

vanished from the eyes of the audience, Nattie darted for- 
ward and clashed breast to breast against Ralph. 

The latter put forth his arms blindly, gropingly; se- 
cured a partial hold of his opponent’s neck, essayed a 
backward lunge, but in the hasty effort stumbled and sud- 
denly found himself upon his back with the scattering 
gusts of sand settling around him. 

And then how the grand stand rang with cheers ! 

“First bout for Manning!” 

“A fair fall, and a great one !” 

High above the tumult of sounds echoed a shrill voice : 

“Thirty to one on my brother ! I offer it in sover- 
eigns ! Take it up if you dare !” 

The victor stood modestly bowing from side to side, 
but there was a glitter of pride in his eyes which told of 
the pleasure he felt — doubly a pleasure, because his an- 
tagonist was Ralph Black. 

The latter had been assisted to his feet by the men ap- 
pointed for the purpose. He was trembling in every 
limb, but it was from rage, not exhaustion. His breath 
came in short, quick gasps, and he glared at Nattie as if 
meditating an assault. 

Again the umpire’s fan gave the signal, and once more 
the combatants faced each other for the second point. 
And now happened a grievous thing for our heroes. 


The Wrestling Match. 129 

Nattie was not ordinarily self-assured. There was no 
room in his character for conceit; but his triumph in the 
present case caused him to make a very serious mistake. 

He failed at this critical moment to bear in mind 
Moltke’s famous advice : “He who would win in war 
must put himself in his enemy’s place.” Flushed with his 
victory he entered into the second bout with a careless- 
ness that brought him to disaster in the twinkling of an 
eye. 

Ralph Black, smarting under defeat, kept his wits 
about him, however, and, adopting his opponent’s tactics, 
made a fierce rush at the instant of the signal. Grasping 
Nattie by the waist, he forced him aside, and then back- 
ward with irresistible force. 

The result — the lad found himself occupying almost 
the same spot of earth which bore Ralph’s former imprint. 
Now was the time for the opposition to cheer, and. that 
they did right royally. Counter shouts came from the 
American faction, and again Grant and Mori’s voices 
arose above the tumult inviting wagers. 

Five minutes of rest, then came the time for the final 
and decisive bout. 

It was with very different feelings that Nattie passed to 
the center of the ring now. His handsome face plainly 
bespoke humiliation, but there was a flash of the eyes 


130 The Wrestling Match. 

which also announced a grim and desperate determina- 
tion. It was like that of Ben Hur when he swept around 
the arena with his chargers on the last circle. 

Ralph was plainly elated. He paused long enough to 
wave one hand toward a group of friends; then the 
twain faced for the last time. It was evident from the 
outset that the bout would not last very long. 

Warily, and with the utmost caution, the lads con- 
fronted each other. Side by side they edged and re- 
treated. A silence as of the tombs of forgotten races fell 
upon the audience. 

Suddenly — no man’s eyes were quick enough to see the 
start — Nattie dropped almost on all fours at Ralph’s feet. 
He lunged forward, grasped the English youth’s hips, 
then with a mighty effort which brought the blood in a 
scarlet wave to his face, he surged upward, and, with a 
crash, the merchant’s son lay a motionless heap in the 
center of the arena ! 


And the match was won ! 


CHAPTER XVI. 


AFTER THE VICTORY. 

The match was won, and Nattie had come out vic- 
torious. There was an instant of silence after the clever 
throw — silence like that which precedes a storm — then 
the grounds rang with a tumult of applause. 

With shouts and yells, with clapping of hands and 
piercing whistles the vast audience proclaimed their ap- 
preciation. Men nearer the ring climbed over the low 
railing and lifting the blushing lad to their shoulders, 
formed the nucleus of a triumphal procession. 

Around the arena they marched until at last Nattie 
struggled free by main force. Retreating to the dress- 
ing-tent, he disappeared within its shelter, followed by 
Grant and Mori. The latter were so filled with joy that 
they could not find qualifying words in either language, 
so they shouted alternately in Japanese and English. 

In the meantime the defeated wrestler had been brought 
to a relization of his discomfiture by his father and sev- 
eral surgeons. The fall had stunned him, but no bones 
were broken. Leaning on his parent, he retired to a jin- 
rikisha and left the field without changing his costume. 


After the Victory. 


132 

In the dressing-tent Nattie and his companions were 
holding gay carnival over the victory. The little apart- 
ment was crowded with Americans, both civilian and 
naval, and it soon became evident that the triumph was 
being regarded as an international affair. It was a vic- 
tory of the American element over the English. 

The difference between Nattie and Ralph had given 
way to something of greater importance. Through some 
unexplained reason a strong undercurrent of jealousy 
exists between members of the two countries in foreign 
climes, and evidences crop to the surface at intervals. 

It generally manifests itself in just such occasions as 
the present, and from the moment Nattie and Ralph were 
matched together in the arena, the American and English 
took sides with their respective countrymen. 

The overwhelming importance of the first match de- 
tracted all interest from those following, and the cele- 
bration was soon brought to a close. Nattie and his com- 
panions finally escaped from the field. At Grant’s invi- 
tation a number of the Americans accompanied him to a 
well-known tea house in the city where dinner was served 
in honor of the occasion. 

Of course the victor was the lion of the feast, but he 
bore his honors modestly. On being called upon for a 
speech he displayed greater trepidation than when he con- 


After the Victory. 133 

fronted his antagonist in the arena. At last yielding to 
the vociferous invitation, he arose from his chair and 
said, bluntly : 

“I am no hand to talk, my friends. In our firm my 
Brother Grant is my mouthpiece. But I can say that I 
appreciate this honor, and that I am almighty glad I de- 
feated Ralph Black. I guess you know the reason why. 
I thank you for your kindness.” 

Then he abruptly resumed his seat, amid the cheers of 
the party who voted him a good fellow with the enthu- 
siasm of such occasions. The impromptu banquet came 
to an end in due time, and the coming of the morrow 
found the boys again at work in the counting-room of 
Manning Brothers & Okuma. 

It was with a chuckle of great satisfaction that Grant 
counted up the results of his wagers made in the grand 
stand. He checked off each item with glee, and finally 
announced to his companions that he was three hundred 
pounds ahead. 

“I don't care a broken penny for the money,” he said. 
“In fact, I intend to turn it over to the hospital fund, but 
it's the fact of beating those Englishmen that tickles me. 
Nattie, if you had permitted Ralph Black to throw you in 
that last bout I would have disowned you and retired to a 
Shinton monastery.” 


134 


After the Victory. 


“My, what a fate I saved you from !” grinned his 
brother. “Fancy you a monk with that hoppity-skip foot 
of yours. But how is Ralph ? Have either of you 
heard?” 

“Some one told me this morning that he was feeling 
very sore — in spirits,” laughed Mori. “They say he 
took the early train for Kobe, where he intends to stay 
until his humiliation has a chance to disappear.” 

“Fll wager a yen yesterday’s work has not increased 
his liking for us,” carelessly remarked the lame youth. 
“What did you get out of his father and those Germans, 
Mori? I saw you hovering about them with a bag of 
coin. Did the old man do any betting ?” 

“Five hundred dollars. I gave him odds of seven to 
one. I also have the German merchants, Swartz and 
Bauer, listed for a cool thousand. Whew! won’t they 
groan in bitterness of spirit when I send over for the 
money ?” 

“I only regret one thing in the whole affair,” said Nat- 
tie. “And that is my confounded carelessness in per- 
mitting Ralph to throw me in the second bout. It was 
a case of ‘swell-head,’ I suppose. The first throw was so 
easy I thought all the rest would be like it. However, 
all’s well that ends well. The match is won, and the 
English will sing low for a time.” 


After the Victory. 135 

During the balance of the week the members of the 
new firm labored early and late arranging their ship- 
ments of tea and silks. Each steamer carried a con- 
signment of goods to America, and in return came cargoes 
of merchandise, flour, printed goods, machinery and wool. 

The events of the past few days had advertised the firm 
to such an extent that the volume of business became 
burdensome. In due course of time the flood of money 
turned and began to flow back into the coffers. Bills out- 
standing at short periods matured, and the bank account 
assumed healthy proportions. 

Mori was compelled to withdraw his last loan of thirty 
thousand dollars, given at a most critical point in the 
firm’s brief existence despite his protest. At the end of 
the third week two extra warehouses were leased, and the 
clerical force in the office doubled. 

All this was very comforting to Grant and his asso- 
ciates, but there still remained a more valuable prize. The 
rumors of war between China and Japan, which had bub- 
bled to the surface of the political caldron many times 
during the past year, now began to attract public atten- 
tion. 

The government disclaimed any idea of impending war, 
but it quietly proceeded with its preparations at the same 
time. It was known among the merchants that a large 


136 


After the Victory. 


order for arms and ammunition would be given out on the 
first day of August, and the competition became very 
keen. 

Through his personal friendship with the secretary of 
war, and the integrity of the new firm, Grant was ac- 
knowledged as possessing the best chance. There was 
one company, however, that had not given up hope of se- 
curing the prize, and that was the firm of Black & Son. 

The reader will doubtless remember the meeting held 
in the English merchant’s office between father and son 
and the ex-bookkeeper, Willis Round. At that consulta- 
tion the latter had disclosed a plan for the defeat of Grant 
Manning. 

The affair of the “go-down,” when Round was foiled 
in his attempt to start a conflagration, delayed the 
schemes of the conspirators, but the near approach of the 
time for awarding the valuable contract, again found 
them at work. 

Mr. Black was the only one of the three present in Yo- 
kohama. Willis Round was an exile for obvious reasons, 
and Ralph chose to absent himself after the wrestling 
match on the seventh of July. By arrangement the twain 
met in an interior village north of the capital, where they 
schemed and plotted for the downfall of their enemies. 

At the expiration of two weeks Patrick Cronin was 


After tlie Victory. 137 

released from jail and advised by the authorities to leave 
the country. Thus everything promised peace for our 
heroes, and the prosperity of honest labor fell to their lot 
day by day. 

All three were too shrewd to allow such a pleasant 
state of affairs to lull their watchfulness. They knew 
that in war silence is ominous, and that many a maneuver 
is projected under the veil of a temporary truce. As it 
came to pass, however, something occurred that deceived 
even Nattie’s suspicious eye. 


CHAPTER XVII. 


THE TURNING UP OF A BAD PENNY AND ITS RESULTS. 

Nattie’s duties as warehouseman and shipper of the 
firm took him aboard the shipping of the port day by day. 
When a consignment of tea or silk was conveyed from 
the '‘go-down” in lighters to the steamers riding at 
anchor in the bay, the lad would visit the vessels to see 
that the goods were checked properly. 

Also when the smaller coasting craft would arrive from 
other ports with cargoes from the local agents of the 
firm, Nattie’s duty carried him on board to sign the re- 
ceipts. 

One morning while on the latter journey to a coaster 
from Kobe he was surprised to see an old acquaintance 
among the crew. It was the recreant watchman, Patrick 
Cronin. 

Still harboring resentment for the fellow’s actions on 
that memorable night when Willis Round made his 
dastardly attempt to fire the “go-down” with its valuable 
contents, Nattie passed him without recognition. After 
attending to his business on board, he started to leave 
the little steamer. 


The Turning Up of a Bad Penny. 139 

As he was preparing to descend to his cutter, he felt 
a touch upon his shoulder. Turning, he saw Patrick with 
an expression of great humility upon his rugged face. 

“What is it?” asked Nattie, sharply. 

“I beg your pardon, sir, but could Oi have a bit of a 
talk wid yer?” replied the Irishman, pleadingly. 

“Well, what do you wish to say? Make haste; I am 
in a hurry.” 

“Could yer step back here a bit where we won’t be 
overheard, sir? It’s something of interest to yourself 
Oi have to say, sir. Maybe ye’ll think it’s valuable in- 
formation Oi have before Oi’m through.” 

Laughing incredulously, Nattie walked over to the 
break of the forecastle, and bade his companion proceed 
with his yarn. He thought it would prove to be a sly at- 
tempt to secure another position with the firm, and he 
firmly intended to refuse the request. 

“Now what is it?” he again demanded, impatiently. 

“It’s mad ye are at me, Oi suppose?” 

“See here, Patrick Cronin, if you have anything to tell 
me, speak out. My time is too valuable to waste just 
now. If you intend to ask for a situation with the firm 
you had better save your breath. One experience with 
you is enough.” 


140 The Turning Up of a Bad Penny. 

Instead of becoming angry at this plain talk, Patrick 
set to chuckling with good humor. 

“Oi don’t blame yer for being down on me,” he said, 
with what seemed very like a wink. “Oi should not have 
let that spalpane tempt me wid th’ drink. Oi have it in 
for him, and by th’ same token that’s why Oi’m now 
talking to yer.” 

“Do you know where Willis Round is?” quickly asked 
Nattie. 

“Maybe Oi do, and maybe Oi don’t. It’s for you to 
say, sir.” 

“For me to say? What have I to do with it?” 

“Would yer like to capture him?” asked Patrick, cun- 
ningly. 

Nattie thought a moment before replying. Would it 
really be worth the candle to bring the ex-bookkeeper to 
justice? The chase might entail a journey and some ex- 
pense. But then would it not be advisable for the 4ake 
of future peace to have Round behind prison bars? 

“As long as he is at liberty,” thought the lad, “we can 
expect trouble. This chance of disarming him should not 
be neglected.” 

“Yes; I would very much like to capture the fellow,” 
he added, aloud. “I suppose you know where he is, or 
you would not mention the subject.” 


The Turning Up of a Bad Penny. 14 1 

“I do know his whereabouts this blessed minute.” 
“Well?” 

The Irishman leered significantly. 

“Ah, you wish to sell the information, I suppose?” said 
Nattie, a light breaking in upon him. 

“It’s wise ye are.” 

“Can you tell me exactly where he is, so that I can send 
and have him arrested ?” 

“No, no. Ye mustn’t send the police, sir. If ye want 
to capture the spalpane ye must go yerself, or wid a friend. 
The boobies of officers would spoil everything. If Oi give 
the man away Oi must be sure he will be put in prison, 
as he’d kill me for informing on him.” 

“Oh, I see,” said Nattie, contemptuously. “You wish 
to save your precious skin. Well, if it is worth while I’ll 
go for him myself, or probably take Mori. Now where is 
he?” 

“Is the information worth twenty pounds, sir ?” 

“No; decidedly not.” 

Patrick looked discomfited. 

“But think of th’ good Oi’m doing yer,” he pleaded. 
“Mister Round is a bad man, and he’ll keep yer in a tor- 
ment of suspense until ye put him away. Won’t ye make 
it twenty pounds, sir ?” 


“No.” 


142 The Turning Up of a Bad Penny. 

“Then how much ?” 

“Half that is a big amount for the information.” 

“Call it twelve pounds, and it’s a bargain.” 

“All right; but understand, you are not to get a cent 
until the man is captured.” 

“Oh, Oi’ll agree to that. Oi’ll go wid yer if ye pay the 
fare.” 

“Very well. Now where is Willis Round?” 

“He’s stopping in Nagasaki.” 

“Nagasaki? What part?” 

“That Oi’ll show yer in due time. He’s hid away in 
a place ye wouldn’t dream of lookin’ into. When do you 
want to start, sir?” 

“As soon as possible. We can leave on the evening 
train and reach there by daylight. Get your discharge 
from the steamer and report to me at the station about 
six o’clock.” 

“And who will ye take besides me, sir? It’ll be just as 
well to have a mate, as there’s no telling what’ll happen.” 

Nattie eyed the speaker keenly. 

“So you think there will be no trouble in effecting the 
capture, eh?” he said. 

“No; but it’s a good thing to be prepared in this 
worruld.” 

“There is more truth than poetry in that,” was the 


The Turning Up of a Bad Penny. 143 

grim reply. “I think Mr. Okuma will accompany me. 
He intended to run down in that direction before long, 
anyway. Now don’t fail, Patrick. Be at the station at 
six.” 

The ex-watchman waved his hand in assent as the lad 
entered his boat, then he retreated to the forecastle with 
an expression of great satisfaction upon his face. During 
the balance of the morning he proceeded about his work 
with evident good humor. 

Shortly before noon he borrowed a piece of paper and 
an envelope from the purser, and laboriously indited a 
letter with the stump of a lead pencil. Sealing the epistle, 
he wrote upon the back : 

“Mister Jesse Black, Esq., 

“The Bund, forninst Main Street, 

“Yokohammer, Japan.” 

After regarding his work with complacency, he asked 
the captain for his discharge. On being paid off, he went 
ashore and disappeared in the direction of the general 
post office. 

In the meantime Nattie had returned to the office, su- 
premely unconscious of Patrick’s duplicity. He found 
Grant and Mori making up the invoices for a cargo of 
lacquered ware. He explained his news at once. 

“It’s a good chance to strike Black & Son a blow they 


144 The Turning Up of a Bad Penny. 

will be not likely to forget in a hurry,” he added, throw- 
ing himself into a chair. “Perhaps we can get a confes- 
sion from the fellow, also.” 

“You mean about that debt?” asked Mori. 

“Yes. When he is compelled to face a five years’ sen- 
tence for attempted arson perhaps he’ll ‘split’ on his con- 
federates. In that case if it turns out as we suspect, the 
English firm will be wiped out.” 

Grant shook his head doubtfully. 

“I do not like the source of your information, Nattie,” 
he said. “In my opinion, Patrick Cronin is not to be 
trusted.” 

“Oh, he’s all right. He has it in for Round for playing 
him such a trick, and he is trying to get even. Then the 
twelve pounds is something to him.” 

“We might run down to Nagasaki,” thoughtfully re- 
marked the Japanese youth. “I intended to drum up trade 
in that direction, anyway. It will be a nice little trip, even 
if nothing comes of it.” 

“Something tells me that it will be a wild-goose chase,” 
replied Grant. “You can try it, though. I can spare both 
of you for three or four days about now. You need a va- 
cation, anyway.” 

“What about yourself, brother?” asked Nattie, gener- 


The Turning Up of a Bad Penny. 145 

ously. “You have worked harder than either of us. Why 
can’t you come also?” 

“What, and leave the business go to the dogs ! Oh, no, 
my dear boy. What would I do with a vacation? I am 
never happier than when I am pouring over accounts in 
this office, believe me. Get away with you now. Run 
home and pack up for your trip. But let me give you a 
bit of advice.” 

“What is it?” 

“Take revolvers, and see that the cartridges are in good 
condition. Also, don’t go poking about the suburbs of 
Nagasaki without a squad of police.” 

“One would think we are bound after a band of out- 
laws in the Indian Territory at home,” laughed Nattie. 
“Willis Round is not such a formidable man as all that.” 

“No; but you don’t know who else you may have to 
contend with. Another thing: keep your eye on Patrick 
Cronin. Good-by.” 

On reaching the station that evening Mori and Nattie 
found the Irishman awaiting their arrival. He was all 
smiles and good humor, and his rugged face was as guile- 
less as that of a new-born babe. Verily the human coun- 
tenace is not always an index to one’s true nature. 

“It’s plazed Oi am to see yer, gentlemen,” he said, 


146 Tlie Turning Up of a Bad Penny. 

suavely. “I did think ye might be after changing yer 
minds. It’s near train time now.” 

“We are here,” replied Nattie, briefly. “Get into the 
car.” 

He purchased three tickets for Nagasaki by way of 
Kobe and followed them into the train. A moment later 
the long line of coaches left the station and rolled rapidly 
on into the night. 

After a brief stop at Kobe, which was reached shortly 
before daybreak, the train resumed its course along the 
edge of the sea. A short distance from the city the tracks 
were laid directly upon the coast, only a parapet of stone 
separating the rails from the water’s edge. 

Feeling restless and unable to sleep, Nattie left his bed, 
and throwing on his outer clothing, stepped out upon the 
platform. He was presently joined by Mori, and the 
twain stood watching the flitting panorama. 

A storm, which had been gathering in the south, pres- 
ently broke, lashing the broad surface of the sea into an 
expanse of towering waves. As the gale increased in 
force, the caps of water began to break over the para- 
pet in salty spray. 

“Whew! I guess we had better beat a retreat,” ex- 
claimed Mori, after receiving an extra dash of moisture. 

“Wait a moment,” pleaded Nattie. “I hate to leave 


The Turning Up of a Bad Penny. 147 

such a grand scene. What a picture the angry seas make ! 
My ! that was a tremendous wave ! It actually shook the 
train.” 

“Murder and saints !” groaned a voice at his elbow. 
“Phwat is the matter, sir ? Is it going to sea we are in a 
train of cars? Tis the first time Patrick Cronin ever 
traveled on a craft without masts or hull. Oi think it do 
be dangerous along here, saving yer presence.” 

Before either Nattie or Mori could reply to the evi- 
dently truthful remark, a line of water, curling upward 
in threatening crests, dashed over the parapet and fairly 
deluged the platforms. It was with the greatest difficulty 
the three could retain their hold. 

Now thoroughly alarmed, they endeavored to enter the 
car. Suddenly the speed of the train became lessened, 
then it stopped altogether. A moment later the grinding 
of heavy driving wheels was heard, and the line of coaches 
began to back up the track. It was a precaution taken too 
late. 

Before the cars had obtained much headway a wall of 
glistening water was hurled over the parapet with resist- 
less force, sweeping everything before it. Amid the shouts 
and screams of a hundred victims the coaches and en- 
gine were tumbled haphazard from the track, piling up in 
a mass of wreckage against the cliff. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


EVIL TIDINGS. 

To those who have not experienced the coming of sud- 
den disaster, word descriptions are feeble. It is easy to 
tell how this and that occurred ; to speak of the wails and 
cries of the injured; to try to depict the scene in sturdy 
English, but the soul-thrilling terror, the horror, and 
physical pain of the moment must be felt. 

In the present case the accident was so entirely unex- 
pected that the very occurrence carried an added quota 
of dreadful dismay. The spot had never been considered 
unsafe. At the time of construction eminent engineers 
had decided that it would be perfectly feasible to lay the 
rails close to the edge of the sea. 

A stout parapet of stone afforded ample protection, in 
their opinion, but they had not gauged the resistless power 
of old ocean. The coming of a fierce south wind worked 
the mischief, and in much less time than is required in the 
telling, the doomed train was cast a mass of wreckage 
against the unyielding face of the cliff. 

The first crash extinguished the lights, adding impene- 
trable darkness to the scene. It found Nattie and Mori 


149 


Evil Tidings. 

within touch of each other. They instinctively groped to- 
gether; but a second and more violent wrench of the 
coach sent them flying in different directions. 

The instinct of life is strong in all. The drowning 
wretch’s grasp at a straw is only typical of what mortals 
will do to keep aglow the vital spark. 

Terror-stricken, and stunned from the force of the 
shock, Nattie still fought desperately for existence. He 
felt the coach reeling beneath his feet, he was tossed 
helplessly like a truss of hay from side to side, and then 
almost at his elbow he heard a familiar voice shrieking : 

“Mercy ! mercy ! The blessed saints have mercy upon 
a poor sinner. Oi’m sorry for me misdeeds. Oi regret 
that Oi was even now going against the law. Oi confess 
that Oi meant to lead them two young fellows away so 
that ” 

The words ended in a dreadful groan as the car gave 
a violent lurch, then Nattie felt a shock of pain and he 
lost consciousness. When he came to, it was to find the 
bright sun shining in his face. 

It was several moments before he could recognize his 
surroundings. A sound as of persons moaning in agony 
brought back the dreadful truth. He found himself lying 
upon a stretcher, and near at hand were others, each bear- 
ing a similar burden. 


150 Evil Tidings. 

The temporary beds were stretched along the face of 
the cliff. A dozen feet away was a huge mass of shat- 
tered coaches and the wreck of a locomotive. A num- 
ber of Japanese were still working amid the debris, evi- 
dently in search of more victims of the disaster. 

Nattie attempted to rise, but the movement caused him 
excruciating pain in the left shoulder. A native, evi- 
dently a surgeon, was passing at the moment, and no- 
ticing the action, he said, with a smile of encourage- 
ment : 

"Just keep quiet, my lad. You are all right, merely 
a dislocation. Do not worry, we will see that you are well 
taken care of.” 

"But my friend?” replied the boy, faintly. "His name 
is Mori Okuma, and he was near me when the accident 
occurred. Can you tell me anything of him? Is he 
safe ?” 

"Is he one of my countrymen, a youth like yourself, 
and clad in tweed?” 

"Yes, yes.” 

"Well, I can relieve your anxiety,” was the cheering 
reply. "He is working like a trooper over there among 
the coaches. It was he who rescued you and brought you 
here. Wait; I will call him.” 

A moment later Mori made his appearance, but how 


Evil Tidings. 15 1 

sadly changed was his usually neat appearance. His hat 
was gone, his clothing torn and disordered, and his face 
grimed with dust and dirt. He laughed cheerily, how- 
ever, on seeing Nattie, and made haste to congratulate 
him on his escape. 

“This is brave,” he exclaimed. “You will soon be all 
right, old boy. No, don’t try to get up; your arm is dis- 
located at the shoulder, and perfect quiet is absolutely 
necessary.” 

“But I can’t lie here like a stick, Mori,” groaned the lad. 
“What’s a dislocation, anyway? It shouldn’t keep a fel- 
low upon his back.” 

“You had better take the doctor’s advice. The relief 
train will start for Kobe before long, and once in a good 
hotel, you can move about. This is a terrible accident. 
Fully twenty persons have lost their lives, and as many 
more wounded.” 

“Have you seen anything of Patrick Cronin ?” 

“No, nothing. It is thought several bodies were car- 
ried out to sea when the water rolled back after tearing 
away the parapet. His may be one of them.” 

The Irishman’s words, heard during the height of the 
turmoil, returned to Nattie. He now saw the significance 
of the Irishman’s cry. 

“Something is up, Mori,” he said, gravely, explaining 


i $2 Evil Tidings. 

the matter. “It certainly seems as if Patrick was leading 
us on a wild-goose chase.” 

“That was Grant’s impression, anyway. Did the fellow 
really use those words?” 

“Yes, and he evidently told the truth. He was in fear 
of death, and he confessed aloud that he was leading us 
away so that something could happen. At the interesting 
moment his voice died away to a groan, then I lost con- 
sciousness.” 

“What do you think he could have meant?” 

“It is something to do with the Blacks, I’ll wager.” 

“But does he know them?” 

“He is acquainted with Willis Round, and that is the 
same thing.” 

Mori seemed doubtful. 

“You don’t think he intended to lead us into a trap?” 
he asked, incredulously. 

“Hardly, but ” 

“Grant?” 

Nattie sat up in the stretcher despite the pain the effort 
caused him. 

“Mori, we must communicate with him at once,” he 
said. “There is no telling what could happen while we are 
away. Confound it! I’ll never forgive myself if this 
should prove to be a ruse. Can you telegraph from here ?” 


Evil Tidings. 153 

“No, we must wait until we reach Kobe. Now don’t 
excite yourself, my dear fellow. You will only work into 
a fever, and that will retard your recovery. I really think 
we are mistaken. But even if it should prove true, it 
won’t mend matters by making yourself worse.” 

The lad fell back with a groan. He acknowledged the 
wisdom of Mori’s remark, and he remained quiet until the 
relief train finally carried him with the balance of the 
survivors to the city they had recently left. Mori has- 
tened to the telegraph office after seeing his charge to a 
hotel. 

What Nattie suffered in spirit during the Japanese 
youth’s absence can only be measured by the great love 
he bore his crippled brother. The very thought that some- 
thing had happened to him was anguish. He knew that 
Grant was bravery itself despite his physical disability, 
and that he would not hesitate to confront his enemies 
single-handed. 

When the turning of the door knob proclaimed Mori’s 
return, Nattie actually bounded from the bed and met 
him halfway. One glance at the Japanese youth’s face 
was enough. Evil news was written there with a vivid 
brush. In one hand he held a telegram, which he gave 
to his companion without a word. 


CHAPTER XIX. 


BAD NEWS CONFIRMED. 

Nattie took the telegram with a sinking heart. He 
had already read disquieting news in Mori’s face, and 
for a moment he fumbled at the paper as if almost afraid 
to open it. Finally mustering up courage, he scanned the 
following words: 

“Message received. Grant cannot be found. He left 
office at usual time last night, but did not appear at his 
home. Have done nothing in the matter yet. Wire in- 
structions. Sorry to hear of accident.” 

It was signed by the chief bookkeeper, a Scotchman, 
named Burr. He was a typical representative of his race, 
canny, hard-headed, and thoroughly reliable. Sentiment 
had no place in his nature, but he was as impregnable in 
honesty as the crags of his own country. 

Poor Nattie read the telegram a second, then a third 
time. The words seemed burned into his brain. There 
could be only one meaning : Grant Manning had met with 
disaster. But where, and how? And through whom? 
The last question was easily answered. 


Bad News Confirmed. 


155 

“Mori,” he said, with a trembling voice, “this is the 
work of the Blacks and that scoundrel, Willis Round.” 

“Something may have happened, but we are not yet 
certain,” gravely replied the Japanese youth. “Surely 
Grant could take a day off without our thinking the 
worse.” 

“You do not know my brother,” answered the lad, 
steadfastly. “He hasn’t a bad habit in the world, and the 
sun is not more regular than he. No, something has 
happened, and we must leave for Yokohama by the first 
train.” 

“It is simply impossible for you to go,” expostulated 
Mori. “The doctor said you must not stir from bed for 
three days at the very least. I will run down at once, 
but you must remain here.” 

“If the affair was reversed, Grant would break the 
bounds of his tomb to come to me,” Nattie replied, simply. 
“Send for a surgeon and ask him to fix this shoulder for 
traveling. I want to leave within an hour.” 

The young Japanese threw up both hands in despair, 
but he left without further words. In due time the man 
of*medicine appeared and bandaged the dislocated mem- 
ber. A few moments later Nattie and Mori boarded the 
train for the north. 

As the string of coaches whirled through valley and 


156 Bad News Confirmed. 

dell, past paddy fields with their queer network of ridges 
and irrigating ditches; past groups of open-eyed natives 
dressed in the quaint blue costumes of the lower classes; 
through small clusters of thatched bamboo houses, each 
with its quota of cheerful, laughing babies, tumbling 
about in the patches of gardens much as the babies of 
other climes do, Nattie fell to thinking of the great mis- 
fortune which had overtaken the firm. 

“If something has happened to Grant — which may God 
forbid — it will be greatly to the interest of Jesse Black,” 
he said, turning to his companion. “Everything points in 
their direction. The first question in such a case is, who 
will it benefit?” 

“You refer to the army contracts?” 

“Yes. It means to the person securing them a profit 
of over one hundred thousand dollars, and that is a prize 
valuable enough to tempt a more scrupulous man than the 
English merchant.” 

“I think you are right. If Grant has been waylaid, or 
spirited away, which is yet to be proven, we have some- 
thing to work on. We will know where to start the 
search.” 

Yokohama was reached by nightfall. Mori had tele- 
graphed ahead, and they found Mr. Burr, a tall, grave 
man with a sandy beard, awaiting them. He expressed 


Bad News Confirmed. 


157 

much sympathy for Nattie’s condition, and then led the 
way to the jinrikishas. 

“I can explain matters better in the office,” he said, in 
answer to an eager question. “ Tis an uncou’ night eeny- 
way, and we’ll do better under shelter .” 

Compelled to restrain their impatience perforce, his com- 
panions sank back in silence and watched the nimble feet 
of the karumayas as they trotted along the streets on the 
way to the Bund. 

Turning suddenly into the broad, well-lighted main 
street, they overtook a man pacing moodily toward the 
bay. As they dashed past, Nattie glanced at him; then, 
with an imprecation, the lad stood up in his vehicle. A 
twinge of pain in the disabled shoulder sent him back 
again. 

Noting the action, Mori looked behind him, and just in 
time to see the man slip into a convenient doorway. It 
was Mr. Black. 

“Keep cool, Nattie,” he called out. “Confronting him 
without proof won’t help us.” 

“But did you see how he acted when he caught sight 
of us?” 

“Yes, and it meant guilt. He tried to dodge out of our 
sight.” 

On reaching the office, Mr. Burr led the way inside. 


158 Bad News Confirmed. 

Lighting the gas, he placed chairs for his companions, and 
seated himself at his desk. 

“Noo I will explain everything,” he said, gravely. “But 
first tell me if ye anticipate anything serious? Has Mr. 
Grant absented himself before?” 

“Never,” Nattie replied to the last question. 

“Weel, then, the situation is thus : Last night he left 
here at the usual hour and took a * rikisha in front of the 
door. I was looking through the window at the time, and 
I saw him disappear around the corner of Main Street. I 
opened the office this morning at eight by the clock, and 
prepared several papers and checks for his signature. 
Time passed and he did na’ show oop. 

“At eleven I sent a messenger to the house on the 
‘bluff/ The boy returned with the information from the 
servants that Mr. Grant had not been home. Somewhat 
alarmed, I sent coolies through the town to all the places 
where he might have called, but without results. I re- 
ceived your telegram and answered it at once. And that’s 
all I know.” 

The information was meager enough. Nattie and Mori 
exchanged glances of apprehension. Their worst fears 
were realized. That some disaster had happened to Grant 
was now evident. The former sprang to his feet and 
started toward the door without a word. 


Bad News Confirmed. 159 

“Where are you going?” asked the Japanese youth, 
hastily. 

“To see Mr. Black,” was the determined reply. “The 
villain is responsible for this.” 

“But what proof can you present? Don’t do anything 
rash, Nattie. We must talk it over and consider the best 
plan to be followed. We must search for a clew.” 

“And in the meantime they will kill him. Oh, Mori, I 
can’t sit here and parley words while my brother is in dan- 
ger. I know Ralph Black and his father. They would 
not hesitate at anything to make money. Even human 
life would not stop them.” 

“That may be. Still, you surely can see that we must 
go slow in the matter. Believe me, Grant’s disappear- 
ance affects me even more than if he was a near relative. 
I intend to enter heart and soul into the search for him. 
Everything I possess, my fortune, all, is at his disposal. 
But I must counsel patience.” 

The tears welled in Nattie’s eyes. He tried to mutter 
his thanks, but his emotion was too great. He extended 
his hand, and it was grasped by the young native with 
fraternal will. The Scot had been eying them with his 
habitual placidity. The opening of a crater under the of- 
fice floor would not have altered his calm demeanor. 


160 Bad News Confirmed. 

“Weel, now/’ he said, slowly, “can you no explain mat- 
ters to me ? I am groping about in the dark.” 

“You shall be told everything,” replied Mori. 

He speedily placed him in possession of all the facts. 
Mr. Burr listened to the story without comment. At the 
conclusion he said, in his quiet way : 

“I am no great hand at detective work, but I can see as 
far thro’ a millstone as any mon with twa gude eyes. 
Mister Grant has been kidnaped, and ye don’t need to look 
farther than the Black’s for a clew.” 

“That is my opinion exactly,” exclaimed Nattie. 

“I am with you both,” said Mori, “but I still insist that 
we go slow in accusing them. It stands to reason that to 
make a demand now would warn the conspirators — for 
such they are — that we suspect them. We must work on 
the quiet.” 

“You are right, sir,” agreed Mr. Burr. 

“What is your plan ?” asked Nattie, with natural impa- 
tience. 

“It is to place Mr. Burr in charge of the business at 
once, and for us to start forth in search of possible clews. 
I will try to put a man in the Black residence, and another 
in his office. We must hire a number of private detectives 
— I know a dozen — and set them to work scouring the 
city. The station master, the keeper of every road, the 


Bad News Confirmed. i6j 

railway guards, all must be closely questioned. And in 
the meantime, while I am posting Mr. Burr, you must go 
home and keep as quiet as you can. Remember, excite- 
ment will produce inflammation in that shoulder, and 
inflammation means many days in bed.” 

The authoritative tone of the young Japanese had its 
effect. Grumbling at his enforced idleness, Nattie left the 
office and proceeded to the “bluff.” Mori remained at the 
counting-room, and carefully drilled the Scotchman in the 
business on hand. 


CHAPTER XX. 


THE MAN BEYOND THE HEDGE. 

It was past midnight when he finally left with Mr. 
Burr, but the intervening time had not been wasted. Or- 
ders, contracts and other details for at least a week had 
been explained to the bookkeeper, and he was given full 
powers to act as the firm’s representative. After a final 
word of caution, Mori parted with him at the door, and 
took a ’rikisha for the Manning residence. He found Nat- 
tie pacing the floor of the front veranda. The lad greeted 
him impatiently. 

“Have you heard anything?” he asked. 

“Not a word. I have been busy at the office since you 
left. Everything is arranged. Mr. Burr has taken charge, 
and he will conduct the business until this thing is settled. 
We are lucky to have such a man in our employ.” 

“Yes, yes ; Burr is an honest fellow. But what do you 
intend to do now?” 

“Still excited, I see,” smiled Mori. He shook a warn- 
ing finger at the lad, and added, seriously: “Remember 
what I told you. If you continue in this fashion I will 
call a doctor and have you taken to the hospital.” 


The Man Beyond the Hedge. 163 

“I can’t help it,” replied Nattie, piteously. “I just can’t 
keep still while Grant is in danger. You don’t know how 
anxious I am. Let me do something to keep my mind oc- 
cupied.” 

“If you promise to go to bed for the rest of the night 
I will give you ten minutes now to discuss our plans. Do 
you agree ?” 

“Yes; but you intend to remain here until morning?” 

“No, I cannot spare the time. I must have the detect- 
ives searching for clews before daylight.” 

“Mori, you are a friend indeed. Some day I will show 
you how much I appreciate your kindness.” 

“Nonsense ! You would do as much if not more if the 
case was reversed. Now for the plans. To commence, 
we are absolutely certain of one thing: Patrick Cronin 
was in the scheme, and he was sent to get us out of the 
way while Ralph and Willis Round attended to Grant.” 

“I am glad the Irishman met with his just deserts,” ex- 
claimed Nattie, vindictively. “He is now food for fishes.” 

“Yes ; a fitting fate. The accident cannot be considered 
an unmixed catastrophe. If it had not occurred we would 
have gone on to Nagasaki, and have lost much valuable 
time. As it is, we are comparatively early. What we 
need now is a clew, and for that I intend to begin a search 
at once.” 


164 The Man Beyond the Hedge. 

“Would it do any good to notify the American Consul ?” 

“No; our best plan is to keep the affair as quiet as pos- 
sible. We will say nothing about it. If Grant is missed 
we can intimate that he has gone away for a week. 

“Now go to bed and sleep if you can,” he added, pre- 
paring to leave. “I will call shortly after breakfast and 
report progress.” 

With a friendly nod of his head he departed on his quest 
for detectives. Nattie remained seated for a brief pe- 
riod, then he walked over to a bell-pull, and summoned a 
servant. At his command the man brought him a heavy 
cloak, and assisted him to don his shoes. 

From a chest of drawers in an adjacent room the lad 
took a revolver. After carefully examining the charges 
he thrust it into his pocket and left the house. 

The night was hot and sultry. Not a breath of wind 
stirred, and the mellow rays of a full moon beamed down 
on ground and foliage, which seemed to glow with the 
tropical heat. Notwithstanding the discomfort Nattie 
drew his cloak about him and set out at a rapid walk 
down the street leading past the Manning residence. 

From out on the bay came the distant rattle of a 
steamer’s winch. The stillness was so oppressive that 
even the shrill notes of a boatswain’s whistle came to his 
ears. An owl hooted in a nearby maple; the melan- 


The Man Beyond the Hedge. 165 

choly howl of a strolling dog sounded from below where 
the native town was stretched out in irregular rows of 
bamboo houses. 

The lad kept to the shady side of the road, and contin- 
ued without stopping until he reached a mansion built in 
the English style, some ten or eleven blocks from his 
house. The building stood in the center of extensive 
grounds, and was separated from the street by an orna- 
mental iron fence and a well-cultivated hedge. 

It was evidently the home of a man of wealth. In fact, 
it was the domicile of Mr. Black and his son Ralph. 
What was Nattie’s object in leaving the Manning resi- ' 
dence in face of Mori’s warning? What was his object in 
paying a visit to his enemy at such an hour of the night ? 

Anxious, almost beside himself with worry, suffering 
severely from his dislocated shoulder, and perhaps 
slightly under the influence of a fever, the lad had yielded 
to his first impulse when alone, and set out from home 
with no settled purpose. 

On reaching the open air he thought of Jesse Black. 
The mansion was only a short distance away; perhaps 
something could be learned by watching it. The con- 
jecture was father to the deed. 

Selecting a spot shaded by a thick-foliaged tree, Nattie 
carefully scanned the facade of the building. It was of 


1 66 The Man Beyond the Hedge. 

two stories, and prominent bow- windows jutted out from 
each floor. The lower part was dark, but a dim light 
shone through the curtains of the last window on the right. 

A bell down in the Bund struck twice; it was two 
o’clock. At the sound a dark figure appeared at the win- 
dow and thrust the shade aside. The distance was not 
too great for Nattie to distinguish the man as the English 
merchant. 

Drawing himself up the lad shook his fist at the appari- 
tion. The action brought his head above the hedge. Some- 
thing moving on the other side caught his eye, and he 
dodged back just as a man arose to his feet within easy 
touch. 

Breathless with amazement, Nattie crouched down, and 
parting the roots of the hedge, peered through. The fel- 
low was cautiously moving toward the house. Something 
in his walk seemed familiar. Presently he reached a spot 
where the moon’s bright rays fell upon him. 

A stifled cry of profound astonishment, not unmingled 
with terror, came from the lad’s lips, and he shrank back 
as if with the intention of fleeing. He thought better of 
it, however, and watched with eager eyes. A dozen times 
the man in the grounds halted and crouched to the earth, 
but finally he reached the front entrance of the mansion. 

A door was opened, and a hand was thrust forth with 


The Man Beyond the Hedge. 167 

beckoning fingers. The fellow hastily stepped inside and 
vanished from view, leaving Nattie a-quiver with excite- 
ment. The dislocated shoulder, the pain, the fever, all 
were forgotten in the importance of the discovery. 

“That settles it,” he muttered. “I am on the right track 
as sure as the moon is shining. Now I must enter that 
house by hook or crook. But who would believe that mir- 
acles could happen in this century? If that fellow 
wasn’t ” 

He abruptly ceased speaking. The door in the front 
entrance suddenly opened, and a huge dog was thrust 
down the stone steps. Nattie knew the animal well. It 
was a ferocious brute Ralph had imported from England 
that year. 

As a watchdog it bore a well-merited reputation among 
the natives of thieving propensities. It was dreaded be- 
cause it thought more of a direct application of sharp 
teeth than any amount of barking. Its unexpected ap- 
pearance on the scene altered matters considerably. 

“Dog or no dog, I intend to find my way into that 
house before many minutes,” decided the lad. “It is an 
opportunity I cannot permit to pass.” 

He drew out his revolver, but shook his head and re- 
stored it again to his pocket. A shot would alarm the 


1 68 The Man Beyond the Hedge. 

neighborhood and bring a squad of police upon the scene. 
The brute must be silenced in some other manner. 

Naturally apt and resourceful, it was not long before 
Nattie thought of a plan. Cautiously edging away from 
the hedge until he had reached a safe distance, he set out 
at a run toward home. Fortunately, the street was free 
from police or pedestrians, and he finally gained the Man- 
ning residence without being observed. 

Slipping into the garden he whistled softly. A big- 
jointed, lanky pup slouched up to him and fawned about 
his feet. Picking up the dog, he started back with it under 
his right arm. The return to the English merchant’s 
house was made without mishap. 

Reaching the hedge, Nattie lightly tossed the pup over 
into the yard. It struck the ground with a yelp, and a 
second later a dark shadow streaked across the lawn 
from the mansion. As the lad had anticipated, the dog he 
had brought did not wait to be attacked, but started along 
the inner side of the hedge with fear-given speed. In less 
than a moment pursuer and pursued disappeared behind 
an outlying stable. 

Chuckling at the success of his scheme, Nattie softly 
climbed the fence and leaped into the yard. The lawn was 
bright with the rays of the moon, but he walked across it 


The Man Beyond the Hedge. 169 

without hesitation, finally reaching the house near the left- 
hand corner. 

As he expected, he found a side door unguarded save 
by a wire screen. A swift slash with a strong pocket- 
knife gave an aperture through which the lad forced his 
hand. To unfasten the latch was the work of a second, 
and a brief space later he stood in a narrow hall leading 
to the main corridor. 


CHAPTER XXI. 


A PRISONER. 

On reaching the main stairway he heard voices over- 
head. The sound seemed to come from a room opening 
into the hall above. Quickly removing his shoes, the lad 
tied the strings together, and throwing them about his 
neck, he ascended to the upper floor. 

Fortunately, Nattie had visited the Black mansion in 
his earlier days when he and Ralph were on terms of com- 
parative intimacy. He knew the general plan of the house, 
and the knowledge stood him in good stead now. 

The room from which the sound of voices came was a 
study used by the English merchant himself. Next to it 
was a spare apartment filled with odd pieces of furniture 
and what-not. In former days it was a guest chamber, 
and the lad had occupied it one night while on a visit to 
the merchant’s son. 

He remembered that a door, surmounted by a glass 
transom, led from the study to the spare room, and that it 
would be an easy matter to see into the former by that 
means. 

He tried the knob, and found that it turned at his touch. 


A Prisoner. 


171 

A slight rattle underneath proclaimed that a bunch of keys 
was swinging from the lock. Closing the door behind 
him, he tiptoed across the apartment, carefully avoiding 
the various articles of furniture. 

To his great disappointment, he found that heavy folds 
of cloth had been stretched across the transom, completely 
obstructing the view. To make it worse, the voices were 
so faint that it was impossible for him to distinguish more 
than an occasional word. 

“Confound it ! I have my labor for my pains !” he mut- 
tered. “It's a risky thing, but I’ll have to try the other 
door.” 

He had barely reached the hall when the talking in the 
next room became louder, then he heard a rattling of the 
knob. The occupants were on the point of leaving the 
study. To dart into the spare room was Nattie’s first ac- 
tion. Dropping behind a large dressing-case, he listened 
intently. 

“Well, I am thoroughly satisfied with your part of the 
affair so far,” came to his eager ears in the English mer- 
chant’s well-known voice. “It was well planned in every 
respect. You had a narrow escape though.” 

A deep chuckle came from the speaker’s companion. 

“No suspicion attaches to me,” continued Mr. Black. 
“I met the boys last night, but I don’t think they saw me.” 


172 


A Prisoner. 


“Oh, didn’t we?” murmured Nattie. 

“You can go now. Give this letter of instructions to my 
son, and tell him to make all haste to the place mentioned. 
Return here with his answer as quickly as you can. In 
this purse you will find ample funds to meet all legitimate 
expenses. Legitimate expenses, you understand? If you 
fall by the wayside in the manner I mentioned before you 
will not get a sen of the amount I promised you. Now — 
confound those rascally servants of mine ! they have left 
this room unlocked! I must discharge the whole lot of 
them and get others.” 

Click! went the key in the door behind which Nattie 
crouched. He was a prisoner ! 

The sound of footsteps came faintly to him; he heard 
the front entrance open ; then it closed again, and all was 
silent in the house. After waiting a reasonable time he 
tried the knob, but it resisted his efforts. Placing his 
right shoulder against the wood he attempted to force the 
panel, but without avail. 

“Whew! this is being caught in a trap certainly! A 
pretty fix I am in now. And it is just the time to track 
that scoundrel. Mr. Black must have been talking about 
poor Grant.” 

Rendered almost frantic by his position, Nattie threw 
himself against the door with all his power. The only re- 


A Prisoner. 


173 

suit was a deadly pain in the injured shoulder. Almost 
ready to cry with chagrin and anguish, he sat down upon 
a chair and gave himself up to bitter reflections. 

Minutes passed, a clock in the study struck three; but 
still he sat there a prey to conflicting emotions. He now 
saw that he had acted foolishly. What had he learned? 
They had suspected the Blacks before, and confirmation 
was not needed. 

The discovery of the visitor’s identity was something, 
but its importance was more than counterbalanced by the 
disaster which had befallen Nattie. The recent conversa- 
tion in the hall indicated that the merchant’s companion 
would leave at once for a rendezvous to meet Ralph, and 
possibly Grant. 

“And here I am, fastened in like a disobedient child,” 
groaned the lad. “I must escape before daylight. If I am 
caught in here Mr. Black can have me arrested on a 
charge of attempted burglary. It would be just nuts to 
him.” 

The fear of delay, engendered by this new apprehen- 
sion, spurred him to renewed activity. He again examined 
the door, but speedily gave up the attempt. Either a lock- 
smith’s tools or a heavy battering-ram would be necessary 
to force it. 

Creeping to the one window opening from the apart- 


A Prisoner. 


174 

ment, Nattie found that he could raise it without much 
trouble. The generous rays of the moon afforded ample 
light. By its aid he saw that a dense mass of creeping 
vines almost covered that side of the mansion. 

“By George ! a chance at last !” 

Cautiously crawling through the opening he clutched a 
thick stem and tried to swing downward with his right 
hand. As he made the effort a pain shot through his in- 
jured shoulder so intense that he almost fainted. He re- 
pressed a cry with difficulty. 

Weak and trembling, he managed to regain the win- 
dow sill. Once in the room he sank down upon the floor 
and battled with the greatest anguish it had ever been his 
lot to feel. 

To add to his suffering, came the conviction that he 
would be unable to escape. He remembered the telltale 
slit he had made in the screen door. When daylight ar- 
rived it would be discovered by the servants, and a search 
instituted throughout the house. 

“Well, it can’t be helped,” mused the lad. “If I am 
caught, I’m caught, and that’s all there is about it.” 

It is a difficult thing to philosophize when suffering with 
an intense physical pain and in the throes of a growing 
fever. It was not long before Nattie fell into a stupor. 

He finally became conscious of an increasing light in the 


A Prisoner. 


175 


room, and roused himself enough to glance from the win- 
dow. Far in the distance loomed the mighty volcano of 
Fuji San, appearing under the marvelous touch of the 
morning sun like an inverted cone of many jewels. 

A hum of voices sounded in the lower part of the 
house, but no one came to disturb him. Rendered drowsy 
by fever, he fell into a deep slumber, and when he awoke 
it was to hear the study clock strike nine. He had slept 
fully five hours. 

Considerably refreshed, Nattie started up to again 
search for a way to effect his escape. The pain had left 
his shoulder, but he felt an overpowering thirst. His 
mind was clear, however, and that was half the battle. 

“If I had more strength in my left arm I would try 
those vines once more,” he said to himself. “Things 
can’t last this way forever. I must — what’s that ?” 

Footsteps sounded in the hall outside. They drew 
nearer, and at last stopped in front of the spare-room door. 
A hand was laid upon the knob, and keys rattled. 

“We have searched every room but this,” came in the 
smooth tones of the English merchant. “Go inside, my 
man, and see if a burglar is hiding among the furniture. 
Here, take this revolver ; and don’t fear to use it if neces- 
sary.” 

Like a hunted animal at bay, the lad glared about him. 


176 A Prisoner. 

Discovery seemed certain. Over in one corner he espied 
a chest of drawers. It afforded poor concealment, but it 
was the best at hand. To drag it away from the wall was 
the work of a second. When the door was finally opened, 
Nattie was crouched behind the piece of furniture. 

He heard the soft steps of a pair of sandals ; he heard 
chairs and various articles moved about, then the searcher 
approached his corner. Desperate and ready to fight for 
his liberty, he glanced up — and uttered a half-stifled cry 
of amazement and joy! 


CHAPTER XXII. 


THE PURSUIT. 

It is always the unexpected that happens. When Nat- 
tie glanced up from his place of refuge behind the chest 
of drawers, he saw a young man clad as a native servant 
looking down at him. There was the gayly colored cloth 
tied around the head; the kimono , or outer garment cut 
away at the neck, and the plain silk kerchief tied with a 
bow under the ear. 

But the face was not that of a native waallo , or house- 
man; it was Mori Okuma himself, the very last person 
on earth Nattie expected to find in the spare room of the 
Black mansion. 

The young Japanese started back in profound surprise, 
his eyes widened, and he nearly called out ; but a warning 
motion from the concealed lad — who recovered his cool- 
ness with marvelous rapidity — checked him. 

“It is I; Nattie I” came to his ears. “Take old Black 
away and return as soon as possible. I have a clew ; we 
must leave here immediately.” 

Regaining his composure with an effort, Mori con- 
tinued his search among the other articles of furniture. 


The Pursuit. 


178 

“No one here, excellency/’ he said, at last. 

“Then the scoundrel who cut that screen door has de- 
camped,” replied Mr. Black, who had remained near the 
door with commendable precaution. “Go down to the 
pantry and help the rest count the silver. By the way, 
what is your name?” 

“Kai Jin, excellency.” 

“Well, Kai, see that you behave yourself and you can 
remain in my service. But if you are lazy or thievish, out 
you go.” 

His voice died away in muffled grumbling down the 
hall. Finally left to himself, Nattie emerged from his 
hiding place and executed several figures of a jig in the 
middle of the floor. 

“Wonders will never cease,” he muttered, with a 
chuckle of joy. “Fancy finding Mori here, and just in 
the nick of time. He’s a great lad. He disguised him- 
self and took service in the house. He would make a 
good detective.” 

He was still pondering over the queer discovery when 
a noise at the door indicated that some one was on the 
point of entering. A warning whisper proclaimed that 
it was Mori. 

The Japanese youth entered quickly and closed the 
heavy oaken portal behind him. He was shaking with 


The Pursuit. 


179 

suppressed laughter. Running over to Nattie, he grasped 
his hand and wrung it heartily. 

“I ought to scold you for disobeying my orders, but 
really this is too funny for anything,” he said. “How 
under the sun did you get in here?” 

“Easy enough; I walked in last night. How did you 
get in?” 

“I am a member of his excellency’s staff of servants. 
Ha, ha ! I almost laughed in his lean old face this morn- 
ing when he engaged me. But explain yourself, Nattie ; I 
am dying to hear your news. You said you had a clew.” 

“Hadn’t we better get out of this house before we 
talk?” 

“Plenty of time. Mr. Black has gone to the office, and 
the servants are below stairs. When we are ready we 
can walk out through the front entrance without a word 
to anybody.” 

Thus reassured, Nattie told how he had left home the 
preceding night and the events that followed. When he 
came to the part relating to the man beyond the hedge, 
the English merchant’s midnight visitor, Mori started at 
him in amazement. 

“Impossible!” he exclaimed. “Why, he was killed in 
the accident near Kobe.” 

“Not so. I saw the fellow’s face almost as clearly as 


i8o 


The Pursuit. 


I see yours now. It was Patrick Cronin, and I’ll stake 
my life on that.’’ 

“Then the scoundrel escaped after all?” 

“Yes; to receive his just dues at the hangman’s hands, 
I suppose. But I haven’t told you of my clew. I over- 
heard Black and Patrick talking out in the hall there. 
It seems that Cronin has a letter which he is to deliver 
without delay to Ralph at some rendezvous. That it re- 
lates to Grant is certain. By following the Irishman 
we can find my brother.” 

“It will be easy enough,” replied Mori, his eyes ex- 
pressing his delight. “The fellow won’t try to hide his 
steps, as it were. He considers the accident a good veil to 
his existence. Nattie, it was a lucky inspiration, your 
coming here last night.” 

“Then I am forgiven for disobeying orders, eh ?” smiled 
the lad. 

“In this case, yes, but don’t do it again. How is your 
shoulder ?” 

“First-chop, barring a little soreness. It will be all 
right in a day or two. Come, let’s leave here before we 
are discovered.” 

The exit from the building and grounds was made 
without mishap. The lads hastily returned to the Man- 
ning residence, where Nattie ordered breakfast served at 


The Pursuit. 


181 


once. On entering the garden, the lanky pup used by him 
as a decoy to Ralph’s watchdog came bounding from the 
rear. He had evidently escaped without feeling the teeth 
of the larger animal. 

The meal was dispatched in haste, then ’rikishas were 
taken to the Bund. While Nattie waited in the firm’s of- 
fice, Mori utilized the central police station in tracing 
Patrick Cronin. In less than an hour word came that a 
man answering his description had been seen leaving the 
city on horseback by way of the road leading to Tokio. 

“That settles it!” exclaimed the Japanese youth. “We 
must take the train for the capital at once. That is,” he 
added, anxiously, “if you think you are able to travel.” 

“I am fit for anything,” promptly replied Nattie. 
“Come, we must not lose a moment.” 

On their way to the station they stopped at the tele- 
graph office and wired the chief of police of Tokio a full 
description of Patrick. After a consultation, they added : 

“Do not arrest the man, but have your best detective 
shadow him wherever he may go. All expenses will be 
met by us.” 

“To capture him now would destroy our only clew,” 
said Nattie. “He might confess to save himself, and then, 
again, he might not. If he should remain silent we would 
have no means of finding Grant’s whereabouts.” 


182 


/ 


The Pursuit. 


The nineteen miles to Japan’s populous capital were 
covered in short order. Brief as was the time, the lads 
were met at the depot by an officer in civilian’s clothes, 
who reported that their man had been seen to take a train 
at Ueno, a small suburb on the outskirts of Tokio. 

“We are doing excellently,” chuckled Mori. “The fool 
thinks he is safe and he travels openly. At this rate the 
chase will be as easy as falling off a log, to use an 
Americanism.” 

“He has five hours’ start. We must telegraph ahead 
to the conductor of his train.” 

“And to every station.” 

“That has been done, sir,” spoke up the police official. 
“The last word received stated that he was still on board 
when the train passed Motomiya.” 

“When can we leave?” 

The man consulted a time-table patterned after those 
used in the United States, and announced that an express 
would depart within twenty minutes. Hurrying to a 
neighboring hotel, the lads ate “tiffin,” and returned in 
time to embark upon the second stage of the chase. 

When the train steamed into a way station three hours 
later a railway employee in gorgeous uniform approached 


The Pursuit. 183 

them with a telegram. Hastily opening the envelope, 
Nattie read, with keen disappointment: 

'‘Headquarters, Tokio. 

“Our detective reports that the man he had been fol- 
lowing managed to evade him at Yowara, and has com- 
pletely disappeared. Local police are searching the moun- 
tains/’ 


CHAPTER XXIII. 


PATRICK SHOWS HIS CLEVERNESS. 

Nattie and Mori exchanged glances of dismay. 

“Confound it ! isn’t that provoking ?” exclaimed the lat- 
ter. “That stupid detective had to let him slip just when 
the chase commenced to be interesting.” 

“Patrick must have suspected something, and he was 
sly enough to fool his follower. Now what are we going 
to do?” 

“Get off at Yowara and take up the search ourselves; 
that’s all we can do. Surely some one must have seen the 
Irishman. The very fact that he is a foreigner should 
draw attention to him. Don’t worry, old boy; we’ll find 
him before many hours have elapsed.” 

“I sincerely hope so,” replied Nattie, gazing abstractedly 
through the coach window. 

After a moment of silence he said, suddenly : 

“Perhaps Yowara is the rendezvous where he is to 
meet Ralph. Do you know anything about the place?” 

“No, except that it is a small town of seven or eight 
hundred inhabitants. It is where people leave the rail- 
way for the mountain regions of Northern Japan. In a 


Patrick Shows His Cleverness. 185 

remote part of the interior are three volcanoes, one of 
them being Bandai-San, which is famous for its erup- 
tions.” 

“Bandai-San ?” slowly repeated Nattie. “Isn't it at the 
base of that volcano where those peculiar mud caves are 
found?” 

Mori eyed his companion inquiringly. 

“What are you driving at?” he asked. 

“Just this : It struck me that Ralph and Willis Round 
would certainly try to find a hiding place for Grant where 
they need not fear pursuit, or inquisitiveness from the 
natives. I have heard that these caves are avoided through 
superstitious reasons. Now why ” 

“By the heathen gods, I believe you have guessed their 
secret!” impulsively exclaimed Mori. “It is certainly 
plausible. A better hiding place could not be found in 
all Japan. The natives will not enter the caves under 
any consideration. They say they are occupied by the 
mountain demons, and to prove it, tell of the awful noises 
to be heard in the vicinity.” 

“Which are caused by internal convulsions of the vol- 
cano, I suppose?” 

“No doubt. The mountain is generally on the verge of 
being shaken by earthquakes, but it is some time since 
one occurred. It's a grewsome place enough.” 


1 86 Patrick Shows His Cleverness. 


“We will search it thoroughly just the same,” said Nat- 
tie, grimly. 

On reaching Yowara, they found the recreant detect- 
ive at the station. He had recently returned from a 
trip through the surrounding country, but had not dis- 
covered any trace of the Irishman. He appeared crest- 
fallen and penitent. 

The boys wasted little time with him. Proceeding to 
the village hotel, or tea house, they sent out messengers 
for three jinrikishas and in the course of an hour were 
ready to start into the interior. 

The spare vehicle was loaded with canned food and 
other stores, as the railroad town would be the last place 
where such articles could be purchased. Each had brought 
a brace of good revolvers and plenty of ammunition from 
Yokohama. 

Mori personally selected the karumayas, or ’rikisha 
men, from a crowd of applicants. He chose three stal- 
wart coolies to pull the carriages, and three bettos, or por- 
ters, to assist on mountainous roads. One of the latter 
was a veritable giant in stature and evidently of great 
strength. 

He was called Sumo, or wrestler, by his companions, 
and seemed to possess greater intelligence than the aver- 
age members of his class. Mori eyed him approvingly, 


Patrick Shows His Cleverness. 187 

and told Nattie that he would be of undoubted assistance 
in case of trouble. 

Before leaving the village, the Japanese youth bought 
a keen-edged sword, similar to those worn by the ancient 
warriors, or samurais , and presented it to Sumo, with 
the added stipulation that he would be retained as a 
guard at increased pay. 

The fellow shouted with delight, and speedily showed 
that he could handle the weapon with some skill. Thus 
equipped, the party left the railroad and set out for a vil- 
lage called Inawashiro, fifteen ris, or thirty miles distant. 

In Japan the coolie rule is twenty minutes’ rest every 
two hours. Their method of traveling is at a “dog trot,” 
or long, swinging pace, which covers the ground with in- 
credible swiftness. Mori’s skill in selecting the karu- 
mayas soon became apparent, the distance to the destina- 
tion being almost halved at the end of the first stretch. 

The country through which the boys passed was flat and 
uninteresting, the narrow road stretching across a broad 
expanse of paddy fields, dotted with men, women and 
children knee-deep in the evil-smelling mud. 

When a halt was called to rest and partake of refresh- 
ments, Mori accosted a native coolie, a number of whom 
surrounded the party, and asked if aught had been seen 


1 88 Patrick Shows His Cleverness. 


of a fiery-faced, red-whiskered foreigner clad in the heavy 
clothing of the coast. 

The man eyed his questioner stupidly, and shook his 
head. The sight of a couple of copper sen , or cents, re- 
freshed his memory. He had noticed a short, squat for- 
eigner (called to- jin) in the interior. He was mounted 
upon a horse and had passed four hours before. 

“Four hours ?” echoed Mori, addressing Nattie. 
“Whew ! he has a good start. And on a horse, too. That 
is the reason we could get no trace of him in the out- 
skirts of Yowara. He must have left the train before 
it stopped and skipped into the brush, where he managed 
to secure a mount. He is certainly clever.” 

“But not enough to fool us ,” replied Nattie, com- 
placently. “We will be hot on his trail before he reaches 
the caves.” 

After the customary rest of twenty minutes, the party 
resumed the road. As they proceeded the general contour 
of the country changed. The flat, plain-like fields gave 
way to rolling woodlands and scattered hills. The second 
hour brought them to the small village of Inawashiro. 

Here was found a well-kept tea house, with spotless 
matted floor, two feet above the ground, a quaint roof, 
and the attendance of a dozen polite servants. Before 
the party had barely reached their resting place, the en- 


Patrick Shows His Cleverness. 189 

tire inhabitants, men, women and children, thronged 
about to feast their eyes upon a to- jin. 

Inquiry developed the fact that Patrick had passed 
through the town not quite two hours before. This was 
cheering news. They were gaining on him. A brief 
lunch, and again to the road. Nattie and Mori examined 
their revolvers after leaving the village. Sumo cut a 
sapling in twain to prove his prowess. 

At the end of the fourth mile a crossroad was reached. 
One, a broad, well-kept thoroughfare, led due north, 
while the other, apparently merely a path running over a 
hill in the distance, bore more to the westward. Mori 
called a halt. 

“Which shall we take?” he asked, scratching his head 
in perplexity. 

“That is the question,” replied Nattie, ruefully. “Con- 
found it ! we are just as apt to take the wrong one as not. 
If we could run across some person who has seen Patrick 
we would be all right.” 

“Here comes a yamabushi, excellency,” spoke up Sumo, 
pointing his claw-like finger up the path. 

“|t Is a priest,” exclaimed Mori, a moment later. “Per- 
haps he can enlighten us.” 

Presently a tall, angular man emerged from the nar- 
rower road and slowly approached them. He was clad 


190 Patrick Shows His Cleverness. 

in a peculiar robe embroidered with mystical figures, and 
wore his hair in long plaits. In one hand was carried a 
bamboo staff, with which he tapped the ground as he 
walked. 

Mori saluted him respectfully. 

“Peace be with you, my children,” said the priest, 
mildly. 

“May your days be long in good works, and your soul 
as lofty as Fuji San,” replied the Japanese youth, with 
equal politeness. “Pray tell us, father, have you seen 
aught of a red-bearded foreigner traveling by horse ?” 

“I passed him two ris back. He was a barbarian, and 
beat his animal with severity. Which is against the 
teachings of ” 

The good man’s words were lost in the distance. Nat- 
tie and Mori, with their ’rikishas and attendants, darted 
past him and scurried up the path at their utmost speed. 
It was scurvy repayment for the information, but the 
news that Patrick had been seen within four miles acted 
as a spur. 

“Don’t falter, men,” called out Mori, urging the 
karumayas. “Ten yen extra to each if you tarry not until 
I give the word. On ahead, Sumo; watch for the for- 
eigner. Be cautious and return when you sight him.” 

The gigantic betto scurried up the path in advance and 


Patrick Shows His Cleverness. 19 1 

disappeared past a clump of bushes. The jinrikishas 
speeded as fast as their pullers could trot. As the party 
darted by an overhanging mass of rock a head was thrust 
forth from behind it. 

The face of the man was broad and burned by the 
sun, and under the chin was a tuft of reddish whisker. 
The eyes were sharp and piercing, and they danced with 
triumphant glee as they peered after the calvalcade. 

“Oh, ho! oh, ho! so it’s ye, me bold Nattie? It’s a 
good thing Oi thought of taking a quiet look to see if Oi 
was being followed. It’s a bit of a trick Oi learned in 
India, and it’ll prove to be the death of ye, me boys. Oi’ll 
just take another path to the rendezvous, and see if we 
can’t kind of waylay yez.” 

. u 


\ 


CHAPTER XXIV. 


GRANT BEARDS THE LION. 

It is now time to return to Grant Manning. It is well 
for the reader to know how the lame youth became the 
innocent cause of all the trouble. The night of the de- 
parture of Nattie and Mori on their trip to Nagasaki found 
him through with his work at the usual hour. 

He parted from Mr. Burr at the door, and taking a 
' rikisha , started for home. While passing through Main 
Street near the tea house where Nattie had played the 
memorable game of hide-and-seek with Willis Round, he 
caught sight of his friend, the secretary to the war 
minister. 

Grant was always ready to do business. Years spent 
in the counting-room with his father had taught him the 
value of personal influence in securing contracts. The 
expected order for arms and ammunition was too valuable 
a prize for any chance to be neglected. 

His acquaintance with the secretary was of long stand- 
ing. It had commenced at a private school in Tokio, 
which both Grant and the Japanese had attended in earlier 
days. The boyish friendship had survived the passing of 


Grant Beards the Lion. 193 

time — that greatest strain upon youthful ties — and when 
the native gained his present position in the war office, 
he remembered the Mannings. 

The greeting was cordial, and an adjournment was 
made to a private room in the chaya or tea house. 
There the friends talked at length over matters in gen- 
eral, and Grant was given many valuable hints concern- 
ing the army contract. 

It was past eight o’clock when the conference ended. 
With mutual sayonaras, or parting salutations, they 
separated at the door, and Grant entered his waiting jin - 
rikisha. Before the man could start the vehicle a Japanese 
boy ran up, and with much bobbing of his quaint little 
head, begged the favor of a word with the excellency. 

“What is it, my lad?” asked the lame youth, kindly. 

Between sobs and ready tears the boy explained that he 
was the son of one Go-Daigo, a former porter in the 
warehouse under the regime of the elder Manning. He 
was now ill of a fever, penniless, and in dire misfortune. 
W ould the excellency condescend to visit him at his house 
in a street hard by the Shinto temple? 

“I am very sorry to hear of Go’s misfortune,” replied 
Grant, with characteristic sympathy, “but wouldn’t it 
answer the purpose if you take this money,” producing 
several yen, “and purchase food for him? To-morrow 


Grant Beards the Lion. 


194 

you can call at the office and I’ll see what I can do for 
him.” 

The excellency’s kindness was of the quality called 
“first-chop,” but the bedridden Go-Daigo was also suffer- 
ing from remorse. He feared that he would die, and he 
did not care to leave the world with a sin-burdened soul. 
He knew a secret of value to the new firm. Would the 
excellency call at once? 

“A secret concerning the new firm?” echoed Grant, his 
thoughts instantly reverting to the Englishman and his 
son. “It may be something of importance. Lead the way, 
child; I will follow.” 

Ten minutes’ travel through crooked streets brought 
the ’rikisha to a typical native house a hundred yards 
from a large, red-tiled temple. The youthful guide led the 
way to the door and opened it ; then he vanished through 
an alley between the buildings. 

Grant passed on in, finding himself in an apartment 
unfurnished save by a matting and several cheap rugs. 
A dim light burning in one corner showed that the room 
was unoccupied. An opening screened by a gaudy bead 
curtain pierced the farther partition. 

Clapping his hands to give notice of his arrival, the 
lame youth awaited the appearance of some one connected 
with the house. Hearing a slight noise behind him, he 


Grant Beards the Lion. 195 

turned in that direction. A couple of stalwart natives ad- 
vanced toward him from the outer door. 

Before Grant could ask a question, one of them sprang 
upon him, and with a vicious blow of a club, felled him 
to the floor. The assault was so rapid and withal so en- 
tirely unexpected that the unfortunate victim had no time 
to cry out, or offer resistance. 

As he lay upon the matting, apparently lifeless, a youth 
stepped into the room through the bead curtain. He bent 
over the prostrate form, and after a brief examination, 
said, in Japanese: 

“You know how to strike, Raiko. You have put him to 
sleep as easily as a cradle does a drowsy child. He won’t 
recover his senses for an hour at least. Bring the cart 
and take him down to the landing. First, change his 
clothes; you may be stopped by a policeman.” 

The coolie addressed, a stalwart native, with an evil, 
scarred face, produced a number of garments from a 
chest, while his companion stripped Grant of his hand- 
some business suit. A few moments later he was roughly 
clad in coarse shoes, tarry trousers, and an English 
jumper. A neckkerchief and a woolen cap completed the 
transformation. 

As thus attired the lame youth resembled nothing 
more than an English or American deep-water sailor. To 


196 Grant Beards the Lion. 

add to the disguise, the coolie addressed as Raiko, rubbed 
grime upon the delicate white hands and face. 

Then a two-wheeled cart was brought to the door, and 
the pseudo mariner dumped in and trundled down toward 
the docks. The youth, he who had given the orders, and 
who was, as the reader has probably guessed, no other 
than Ralph Black, left the house by another entrance, 
well pleased at the success of his stratagem. 

Raiko and his cart were stopped by an inquisitive gen- 
darme, but the coolie had been primed with a ready ex- 
cuse. 

“Plenty sake; foreign devil,” he said, sententiously. 
“He drunk ; take him down to ship for two yen ” 

The officer of the peace had seen many such cases in 
his career, and he sauntered away to reflect on the pe- 
culiar habits of the foreigners from beyond the water. 
On reaching the English hatoba , or dock, Raiko found 
Ralph awaiting him. 

The merchant’s son was enveloped in a huge cloak, and 
he carefully avoided the circles of light cast by the electric 
globes. At his command Grant was unceremoniously 
dumped into a rowboat moored alongside the pier, then 
he followed with the stalwart coolie. 

Lying out in the bay was a coasting junk, with sails 
spread ready for departure. Pulling alongside of this, 


Grant Beards the Lion. 197 

poor Grant was lifted on board, and ten minutes later the 
Japanese vessel was sailing down the Bay of Tokio bound 
out. 

As the ungainly craft passed Cape King, and slouched 
clumsily into the tossing waters of the ocean, the lame 
youth groaned, raised his hands to his aching head, and 
sat up. He glanced about him at the unfamiliar scene, 
then struggled to his feet. The swaying deck caused him 
to reel and then stagger to the low bulwark. 

He thought he was dreaming. He looked at the white- 
capped waves shimmering unsteadily under the moon's 
rays; the quaint, ribbed sails looming above; the narrow 
stretch of deck ending in the high bow and stern, and at 
the half-clad sailors watching him from the shadows. 

He glanced down at his tarred trousers and coarse 
shoes, then he gave a cry of despair. It was not an ugly 
nightmare. It was stern reality. His enemies had tri- 
umphed; he had been abducted. 

The proof of valor is the sudden test of a man’s cour- 
age. The greatest coward can face a peril if it is familiar 
to him. It is the unexpected emergency — the blow from 
the dark; the onslaught from the rear — that tries men’s 
souls. 

The consternation caused by a shifting of scenes such 
as had occurred to Grant can be imagined. From an 


198 Grant Beards the Lion. 

ordinary room in an ordinary native house in Yokohama 
to the deck of a junk at sea, with all its weirdness of de- 
tail to a landsman, is a decided change. 

The lame youth could be excused if he had sunk to the 
deck bewildered and in the agonies of terror. But he did 
nothing of the sort. As soon as he could command the use 
of his legs, he promptly marched over to a sailor grinning 
in the shadows of the mainmast, and catching him by the 
arm, sternly ordered him to bring the captain. 

“Be sharp about it, you dog,” he added. “I will see 
the master of this pirate or know the reason why.” 

Awed by his tone, the fellow slunk off and speedily 
produced the captain of the junk. But with him came 
Ralph Black, smoking a cigar, and with an insolent smile 
upon his sallow face. 

“Ah! Grant, dear boy,” he said, with a fine show of 
good fellowship; “I see you have quite recovered from 
your little accident.” 

“Accident, you scoundrel!” exclaimed the lame youth. 
“What do you mean? I demand an explanation of this 
outrage. Why am I dragged out here like a drunken 
sailor? You must be crazy to think that you can perpe- 
trate such an injury in this century without being pun- 
ished.” 

“I’ll take the chances,” replied Ralph, with a sneer. 


Grant Beards the Lion. 


199 

Then he added, angrily: “Be careful how you call 
names, and remember once for all that you are in my 
power, and if I say the word, these sailors will feed you 
to the sharks. In fact, I really think it would be best, 
anyway/’ 

“I always thought you off color, but I never be- 
lieved you would prove to be such a cold-blooded villain 
as you undoubtedly are. You and your worthy father 
couldn’t meet business rivals in the open field of com- 
petition, but you needs must resort to violence and under- 
hand methods. I’ll have the pleasure of seeing both of 
you behind the bars before ” 

With a snarl of rage, the merchant’s son sprang upon 
the daring speaker. Grasping him by the throat, he 
called loudly to the junk’s captain : 

“Over with him, Yoritomo! Help me throw him into 
the sea. Dead men tell no tales !” 


CHAPTER XXV. 


A PLAN, AND ITS FAILURE. 

The lower order of criminals are seldom courageous. 
Personal bravery is not found in the same soul that harbors 
a disregard for laws human and divine. The thief cor- 
nered in the dark will fight, but simply with the despera- 
tion of a rat at bay. 

It was to this natural law that Grant owed his life. 
Yoritomo, the captain of the junk, was a scoundrel at 
heart, but he had a wholesome regard for justice as meted 
out in Japan. A number of years spent on the penal farms 
had taught him discrimination. 

While there he had witnessed — and even assisted at — 
several executions for murder, and the terror of the scene 
remained with him. A golden bribe offered by the Blacks 
had purchased his services in the abduction of Grant, but 
when Ralph, in his insane rage, called to him for assist- 
ance in throwing the lame youth into the sea, he peremp- 
torily refused. 

Instead, he called several sailors to his aid, and res- 
cued Grant from Ralph’s grasp. 

‘Til permit of no murder on my junk,” he said in 


A Plan, and its Failure. 201 

Japanese. “You have paid me well to help you carry 
this fellow to the Bay of Sendia, and I will do it, but no 
violence, sir.” 

“What do you mean, dog?” shouted the discomfited 
youth. “How dare you interfere? If I wish to get rid 
of him I’ll do so.” 

“Not on board this vessel,” replied the captain, dog- 
gedly. 

“I suppose you are afraid of your neck?” sneered 
Ralph. 

“Yes, I am. I run enough danger as it is. How do we 
know that we were not seen in Yokohama? My craft 
is engaged in trade along the coast, and is well known. 
When your prisoner’s absence is found out the authorities 
will secure a list of all shipping leaving the port on such 
a date. I will be suspected with the rest.” 

Ralph remained silent. A craven at heart, he would 
not have dared attack one physically able to offer resist- 
ance. The picture drawn by the captain was not pleasant. 
What if the truth should be discovered? It would mean 
disgrace and a long term in prison. And he had just con- 
templated a murder ! 

The punishment for such a crime is death. The youth 
shuddered at his narrow escape. He scowled at his pris- 


202 A Plan, and its Failure. 

oner, then stalked aft to the mean little cabin under the 
shadow of the wing-like sails. 

Grant had been a silent spectator of the scene. When 
Ralph made the violent attack on him, he struggled as 
best he could, but he was no match for his athletic as- 
sailant, and would have undoubtedly succumbed if it had 
not been for the timely aid of the captain. 

The latter’s unexpected action sent a ray of hope 
through the lame youth. Possibly he could be bribed 
to further assist him ! Grant was philosopher enough to 
know that honor does not exist among thieves. The bonds 
of fraternity found among honest men is unknown in the 
criminal walks of life. 

When Ralph left the deck Grant drew Yoritomo aside, 
and boldly proposed a plan evolved at that moment by 
his fertile brain. He did not mince words, but went to 
the point at once. 

“Captain, a word with you,” he said. “I wish to tell you 
that you are making a bad mistake in being a party to 
this abduction. You probably know the laws of your 
country, but you do not know that such crimes against 
foreigners are punishable by death in many cases.” 

Yoritomo shifted uneasily, but made no reply. 

“Do you know who I am?” continued Grant, im- 
pressively. 


203 


A Plan, and its Failure. 

The captain shook his head. 

“Indeed ! You must belong to one of the lower prov- 
inces, then. Have you ever heard of the firm of Man- 
ning & Company, dealers and importing merchants?” 

“Yes.” 

“Well, my name is Grant Manning, and I am now head 
of the firm. I am also a personal friend of his excellency, 
Yoshisada Udono, of the War Department, and of the 
Superintendent of Prisons in Tokio. Ah, I see that you 
know what the latter means. You have been a prisoner 
in your time, eh?” 

“Yes, excellency.” 

The words were respectful, and the lame youth took 
hope. He followed up his advantage. 

“The young man who bribed you to assist in his ne- 
farious plot is crazy. No sane man would attempt such 
a desperate scheme nowadays. You are sure to be dis- 
covered before many days. The detectives are even now 
after you. I have relatives and friends who will move 
heaven and earth to rescue me, or to secure revenge if 
aught happens to me. Discovery means death to you. 
You are even now standing in the shadow of the gallows.” 

Grant had lowered his voice to an impressive whisper. 
The tone, the surroundings, the situation had their effect 
upon the listener. He trembled from head to foot. He 


204 A Plan, and its Failure. 

fell upon his knees at his companion’s feet and begged 
for mercy. 

“Oh, excellency,” he pleaded, “I crave your pardon. I 
acknowledge that I am guilty. Mr. Black offered me a 
large sum to help in your abduction. I need the money, 
for I am very poor. I accepted, and now I lose my life.” 

“Not necessarily so,” replied the lame youth, repressing 
a feeling of exultation with difficulty. “If you will do 
as I say I will assure you of a pardon, and promise you 
money in addition. What did the Blacks agree to pay 
you ?” 

“Two hundred yen, excellency.” 

“And for that paltry sum, not equal to one hundred 
American dollars, you have run such risks. You are a 
fool!” 

“Yes, excellency.” 

“Now, I’ll promise to see that you are not punished, 
and I will also give you twice that amount if you head 
in to the nearest port and put me ashore. What do you 
say ?” 

Yoritomo hesitated. 

“Remember your fate when the authorities capture you, 
which they surely will before long. Don’t be a dolt, man. 
I will pay you double what the Blacks promise, and assure 
you of a pardon besides.” 


A Plan, and its Failure. 205 

“Can you pay me the money now?” asked the captain, 
cunningly. 

He had evidently recovered from his fears — enough, 
anyway, to drive a shrewd bargain. 

“Part of it, and give you good security for the balance,” 
replied Grant, confidently. 

He reached in the pocket where he generally kept his 
purse, but found it empty. A hurried search disclosed 
the fact that his valuable gold watch and a small diamond 
stud were also gone. He had been robbed. 

“The confounded thieves !” he exclaimed. “They have 
completely stripped me.” 

“Then you have no money?” asked Yoritomo, in- 
credulously. 

“No; I have been robbed by those people. I will give 
you my word that I’ll pay you the four hundred yen the 
moment I set foot in Yokohama. Or, if you wish, IT1 
write a note for the amount, and you can collect it at any 
time.” 

“Have you anything to prove that you are Grant Man 
rung?” queried the captain, suspiciously. 

Grant bit his lips in annoyance. The question boded i 1 
for his chances of escape. The hurried search through 
his pockets had shown him that he had nothing left; not 


206 A Plan, and its Failure. 

even a letter or a scrap of paper. He was compelled to 
answer in the negative. 

“I thought so,” cried Yoritomo, scornfully. “You have 
tried to play a pretty game, my brave youth, but it didn’t 
work. You Grant Manning? Ha! ha! ha! Mr. Black 
told me who you are. You are a rival in love, and he is 
taking this means of getting rid of you. So you would 
try to wheedle me with lies? I have a mind to let him 
throw you overboard as he intended. Begone forward, or 
I’ll tell my men to scourge you!” 

“You are making a serious mistake,” replied Grant, with 
dignity. “You will live to repent your actions. I am ” 

“Begone, I say !” interrupted the captain, menacingly. 
“Here, Tomo, Haki, drive this fool forward !” 

Sick at heart and almost discouraged, the lame youth 
limped toward the bow. As he passed the mainmast a 
coolie slipped from behind it and entered the cabin. It 
was Raiko, Ralph’s man. He had overheard the futile 
attempt, and proceeded forthwith to tell his master. 


CHAPTER XXVI. 


GRANT ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE. 

During the rest of the voyage up the coast Grant was 
kept forward with the sailors. Ralph carefully avoided 
him, and, in fact, seldom appeared on deck. 

Shortly before midnight on the second day out the 
prisoner was awakened from a troubled sleep by the en- 
trance of several men in his little apartment forward. One 
of these was Raiko. Without a word of explanation, the 
coolie seized Grant and with the aid of his companions, 
bound him hand and foot. 

An hour later the junk was brought to anchor and the 
sails furled. Then a boat was lowered, and Grant, Ralph, 
and Raiko were rowed ashore by members of the crew. 
As they left the craft, Yoritomo leaned over the clumsy 
rail, and called out, sneeringly : 

“How about that four hundred yen and the free par- 
don? Your little plan didn’t work, eh? Farewell, ex- 
cellency, Grant Manning!” 

The prisoner maintained a dignified silence, but at heart 
he felt sore and discouraged. While on the junk he con- 
sidered himself almost safe from violence, but Ralph’s 


208 Grant Attempts to Escape. 

cowardly assault and the grim, evil face of the coolie. 
Raiko, boded little good. 

The night was clear, and a full moon cast its mellow 
rays over the scene. The junk had anchored in an ex- 
tensively landlocked bay. Across to the right were sev- 
eral twinkling lights, proclaiming the presence of a town. 
But where the boat had landed were simply clumps of 
bushes and sandy dunes. 

The little party set out at once for the interior. Grant’s 
feet had been loosened, but his hands still remained fas- 
tened. Raiko walked in advance, and it soon became evi- 
dent that he was familiar with the country. At the end 
of the first hour a halt was made in a grove of trees near 
a hill. 

The coolie disappeared, leaving the prisoner in Ralph’s 
care. After he had gone Grant attempted to engage the 
merchant’s son in conversation, but without avail. He 
absolutely refused to speak. Presently Raiko returned 
with three horses and another native. 

The lame youth was lifted upon one and secured in 
such a manner that he could not escape; then the others 
were mounted by the remaining members of the party 
and the march resumed. 

Raiko went first, as usual, then Ralph, leading the pris- 
oner’s steed, and finally the new coolie bringing up the 


Grant Attempts to Escape. 209 

rear. It was a strange procession, but there were none 
to witness it, the narrow paths followed being entirely 
deserted. 

Several hours passed in this manner. The moon sank 
behind the western mountains, leaving the scene in dark- 
ness. Mile after mile was covered without a halt. The 
aspect of the country changed from hill to plain, from 
valley to heights. Rivers were forded, bridges crossed, 
and lakes skirted, and still no word between the members 
of the cavalcade. 

During all this time Grant had not remained idle. He 
was not a youth prone to despair. The result of his con- 
versation with the junk’s captain had certainly discour- 
aged him for the moment, but with the vivacity of youth 
he speedily recovered his spirits and set about for a way 
to better his situation. 

In the first place, he found that the jolting of his mount, 
which he had railed against at the commencement, had 
actually loosened his bonds. His arms had been tied be- 
hind him with a leather thong around the wrists and 
elbows. 

The discovery sent a thrill of hope through him. Work- 
ing steadily, but without making the slightest sound, he 
finally succeeded in freeing both hands. The operation 


210 Grant Attempts to Escape. 

took some time, and it was not until after the moon had 
disappeared that he completed the task. 

Meanwhile, his mind had also moved rapidly. He 
formulated a plan. It was nothing less than to wait for a 
favorable opportunity, and to make a bold dash for free- 
dom. Burdened as he was, with a deformed and feeble 
frame, Grant was no coward, nor was he lacking in valor 
of spirit. 

He knew that the attempt would be productive of dan- 
ger. It would draw the fire of his companions, and, 
moreover, lead to terrible risks to life and limb, but he 
was perfectly willing to brave all if by so doing he could 
effect his escape. 

During the weary hours spent on board the junk he had 
thought over his abduction and the events leading to it. 
The actions of the Blacks were almost inexplicable. It 
had never occurred to him that they would resort to such 
desperate measures. 

He had read of such cases in books of romance treating 
of life in the earlier centuries, but to believe that an Eng- 
lish merchant in Japan should carry off a business rival 
in the present day was almost beyond his credulity. 

“It is the last move of a man driven to the wall, ,, he 
had concluded, and not without a feeling of triumph, it 
must be confessed. “We have taken the market from him, 


Grant Attempts to Escape. 21 1 

and simply because the market chose to come to us, and 
we have beaten his firm and others in both the export and 
import trades. And as a final straw, it seemed as if the 
valuable army contracts would also come to us. Fool ! he 
should have known that Nattie and Mori could easily 
secure them even if I had dropped out of sight.” 

This was not so, and only his innate sense of modesty 
compelled him to say it. Nattie and Mori, the Blacks, 
and all the foreign population of Japan knew that only 
Grant could win the prize. His business tact, his per- 
sonal friendship with the powers at the head of the gov- 
ernment, and his well-known reputation for honesty were 
the virtues forming the magnet that would attract the 
golden plum. 

The outrageous assault of Ralph on board the junk 
had shown Grant how desperate his enemies were. It 
hinted strongly at nothing short of murder. No man, no 
matter how brave, can walk in the shadow of a threat- 
ened death without inwardly wishing himself free from 
danger. 

Grant was as others in the same situation. He was will- 
ing to face any known peril to escape the unknown fate 
awaiting him at the end of the journey. Then he had a 
natural desire to turn the tables on his enemies ; to cause 


212 Grant Attempts to Escape. 

their defeat and punishment, and not least of all, to reach 
Tokio in time to secured the coveted army contracts. 

As the night became darker the little party hovered 
together. As stated before, Ralph was leading Grant’s 
horse, and forming the rear of the cavalcade was the new 
coolie. Raiko was almost out of sound ahead. 

The lame youth felt in his pockets, and to his great joy 
found a penknife which had been overlooked by the greedy 
coolie. Waiting until they rode into a narrow valley run- 
ning between high hills, the prisoner softly reached for- 
ward and severed the leading thong. Then, with a fierce 
tug of his hands, he cause his mount to wheel sharply. 

This sudden action brought the horse ridden by Grant 
in collision with that of the hindmost coolie. The shock 
unseated the fellow, who was naturally unprepared, and 
he fell to the ground with a cry of terror. Belaboring 
his steed with one hand, the prisoner dashed down the 
valley like a whirlwind. 

He had not gone fifty yards before he heard a pro- 
digious clatter of hoofs, then with a loud report a re- 
volver was discharged behind him. The bullet flew wide 
of the mark, as could be expected under the circumstances, 
but it served its purpose just the same. 

At the sound Grant’s horse dashed sideways, stum- 
bled over a hummock of earth or rock, and with a crash, 


213 


Grant Attempts to Escape. 

animal and rider fell in a heap against the edge of rising 
ground. Fortunately, the lame youth escaped injury, but 
the terrific fall partially* stunned him, and he was unable 
to resist when, a moment later, Ralph rode up and seized 
him. 

Raiko followed close behind, and the other coolie limped 
up in time to assist in rebinding the prisoner. After see- 
ing him again seated upon the horse, Ralph launched forth 
in a tirade of abuse, which he emphasized by brutally 
striking the prisoner with his whip. 

“Thought you would give us the slip, eh?” he cried. 
“You crippled puppy. I’ve a good notion to beat you to 
death ! We’re having too much trouble with you, anyway, 
and I think I will end it right here.” 

“You will receive full measure for this outrage some 
day, you coward,” retorted Grant, whose discomfiture had 
made him careless of consequences. “None but a brute 
would act as you are doing. No, I’ll not stop talking. I 
don’t care a snap of my little finger for your threats. Do 
what you please, but remember there will be a day of 
retribution.” 

The English youth evidently thought so, too, as he de- 
sisted, and mounting, rode ahead with the leading strap 
attached to his saddle. This time extra precautions were 


214 


Grant Attempts to Escape. 


taken. Grant’s legs were fastened by a thong running 
under his horse, and his arms were securely bound. 

The journey was continued without halt or incident 
until a gradual lighting of the eastern sky proclaimed the 
advent of dawn. The first rays of the sun found the 
cavalcade upon the summit of a verdure-crowned hill. 
Down below, nestling in the center of an extensive valley, 
was the shimmering waters of a large lake, and, looming 
massively on the farther shore, could be seen the ruins of 
an ancient feudal castle. 

“Thank goodness ! the rendezvous at last !” exclaimed 
Ralph. “Now, to see if Patrick is here before us.” 


CHAPTER XXVII. 


IN FRONT OF THE OLD CASTLE. 

In the meantime how had Nattie and his party fared 
in their pursuit of the wily Irishman ? It will be remem- 
bered that Sumo had gone ahead as a scout, leaving the 
others to follow more at leisure. This was found neces- 
sary by the increasing difficulty of drawing the jinrikishas 
along the primitive path. 

It had narrowed in places to such an extent that only 
by the most careful efforts could the vehicles be taken 
past. The road became obstructed with huge bowlders, 
fallen from the surrounding heights, and finally the trunk 
of a large tree, shattered by lightning, was encountered. 

“We will have to leave the * rikishas in charge of one of 
the men,” answered Nattie, regretfully. 

“It will handicap us considerably,” replied Mori, in the 
same tone. “We cannot expect to catch up with Patrick, 
mounted as he is. From the speed he has been making, 
though, his animal must be tired out. I think — what is 
up now?” 

The question was called forth by a peculiar action on 
Nattie’s part. The lad had been standing intently eying 


21 6 


In Front of the Old Castle. 


the fallen monarch of the forest. Suddenly he tossed his 
helmet into the air with a cry of joy. 

“What fools we are!” he added. “Why, this tree has 
been here at least a month.” 

“Well, what of it?” 

“Mori, I am ashamed of you. Can’t you see that a 
horse couldn’t pass here? Look at those limbs and that 
mass of foliage. If Patrick is ahead of us he must have 
abandoned his horse. Where is the animal?” 

“By Jove! you are right. The Irishman must have 
doubled on us after meeting that priest. Idiots that we are 
to permit a man like that to pull the wool over our eyes. 
We must go back and take the other road.” 

Before Nattie could reply, Sumo scrambled over the 
tree and advanced toward them. 

“Masters, the red-bearded foreigner has deceived us. 
I met a man half a ris up the path. He has been working 
there since daylight, and he says no one has passed him 
except the priest.” 

“That settles it,” exclaimed Mori. 

“Come ; we must return to the crossroad.” 

“I have also learned that this path and the main road 
meet about five ris beyond this hill,” continued Sumo. 

The coolie’s information was indeed welcome, and little 
time was lost in retracing their steps. On reaching the 


In Front of the Old Castle. 


217 

crossroad, however, darkness, which had been threaten- 
ing for some time, settled down. The coming of night 
presented a serious obstacle to the continuation of the 
pursuit. 

“I am afraid we must put up somewhere until morn- 
ing,” said Mori, as the party halted. 

Nattie instantly expostulated. 

“We will never be able to trace Patrick,” he insisted. 
“No, we must keep on, darkness or no darkness.” 

“And run the risk of passing him during the night, eh ? 
If he is cunning enough to fool us once, he’ll certainly try 
it again. No, our best plan is to proceed to Invoro, a 
small village, a couple of miles from here, and rest until 
daylight. Then we can resume the pursuit with some 
chance of tracking the Irishman. Anyway, we are rea- 
sonably certain his destination is the caves at the foot of 
Bandai-San.” 

Nattie was forced to acknowledge the wisdom of his 
companion’s plan, but it was with a heavy heart that he 
gave his consent. The trip to the village was made with- 
out incident. Accommodations were secured at a primi- 
tive tea house, and preparations made for spending the 
night. 

Inquiry elicited the cheering news that a foreigner such 
as described had passed through the town several hours 


218 In Front of the Old Castle. 

previous. He had halted to secure food for himself and 
horse, and had then continued his journey. 

“We are still on the right track, you see,” said Mori, 
to Nattie. “Don’t worry, old boy. This road leads to the 
volcano, and all we need do is to set out at daybreak 
and go straight to the caves. I am so sure that we will 
find Grant there that I have dispatched a messenger to 
the governor of this district asking for the assistance of 
the rural police.” 

“I don’t place much faith in them,” replied Nattie, 
doubtfully. “I think we had better proceed alone until 
we are thoroughly sure Ralph Black and Grant are at the 
caves. Then we can send for reinforcements. A large 

body of police would only give the alarm, and probably 
drive them somewhere else in search of a hiding place.” 

“All right; I will leave word to hold the gendarmes 
here until we call for them. Now try to get a little sleep. 
You will tire yourself out and retard the recovery of that 
shoulder.” 

The lad protested that he could not close his eyes, 
but nature demanded her meed of rest, and he slumbered 
soundly until the party was called at the first signs of day. 
After a brief breakfast the chase was resumed, all feeling 
remarkably refreshed by the night’s rest. 


In Front of the Old Castle. 219 

“I feel like a new man,” announced Mori, quaffing huge 
draughts of the brisk morning air from his ’rikisha. “I 
really believe I am good for a dozen Patricks if it comes to 
a tussle.” 

“Which it is bound to do,” replied Nattie, cheerily. 
“You can anticipate a fight, old fellow. Ralph Black 
and Willis Round will not give up without a struggle. 
Why, imagine what defeat means to them ! They will be 
compelled to leave the country immediately.” 

“If we permit them to,” interposed the Japanese youth, 
meaningly. “Yes, you are right. With their scheme 
ruined, the house of Black will tumble like a mansion 
built of cards. If captured, they will be brought to trial 
before the English Minister and probably sentenced to a 
long term in prison. They must have been desperate to 
resort to such a plan.” 

“It’s gold — bright, yellow gold, my dear boy,” replied 
his companion, sagely. “It is only another case of man 
selling his liberty, if not his soul, for the almighty dollar. 
The hundred thousand yen > profit in those army contracts 
proved too much for the Englishman. And I guess per- 
sonal revenge has something to do with it.” 

“No doubt. Still it is hard to believe that a sane man 
would take such chances. I wonder what they expected 
to do after the awarding of the contracts? They surely 


220 In Front of the Old Castle. 

could not hope to keep Grant a prisoner for many 
months ?” 

“I have thought it over, and I believe Mr. Black ex- 
pected to clear out after furnishing the arms and am- 
munition, if he secured the prize. He felt that his busi- 
ness had dwindled after the organization of our firm, 
and that he might as well retire with the money realized 
if he could. He did not anticipate that we would discover 
his plot and pursue his son.” 

“Well, I am glad to say that he is mightily mistaken.” 

The invigorating air of the early morning hours caused 
the jinrikisha men to race along the road at their utmost 
speed, and it was not long before the party arrived at the 
spot where the path taken the night before rejoined the 
main thoroughfare. 

A short rest was taken, then, with renewed strength, 
the pursuit was continued. At the end of an hour a lake 
was sighted some distance ahead. It was a large body 
of water, evidently grandly situated in a basin formed by 
three hills and a lofty mountain. Pointing to the latter, 
which reared its conical head twelve thousand feet above 
the level of the lake, Mori said, impressively : 

“The volcano of Bandai-San.” 

“And at its base are the caves?” eagerly asked Nattie. 


In Front of the Old Castle. 


221 


“Yes, the mud caves where we hope Ralph and Mr. 
Round have taken their prisoner.” 

“What is that on the edge of the lake? It seems to be 
a ruin.” 

“That’s the shiro, or old castle of Yamagata. By Jove! 
I had forgotten that it was here. It is a feudal pile, and 
has a quaint history. I will tell you something of it as we 
ride along. The road passes the entrance.” 

Bidding the karumayas run together, Mori continued : 

“It was a stronghold of an ancient daimio, or prince. 
He ruled the country around here for many years. He 
Was very wealthy, and spent an immense sum of money 
on the castle. You can see by its extent and the material 
that it cost no small amount. The walls are of stone, some 
of the blocks being forty feet long by ten feet in width, 
and many have a thickness of an English yard. 

“Those two lofty towers were once surmounted with 
huge fish made of copper, and covered with plates of gold. 
You can imagine the temptation to the peasants. One 
windy night a robber mounted an immense kite and tried 
to fly to the top of the first tower for the purpose of 
stealing the golden scales, but he was caught and boiled 
alive in oil.” 

“They had an extremely pleasant manner of executing 


222 


In Front of the Old Castle. 


people in Japan in the early days,” remarked Nattie, with 
a shrug of his shoulders. 

“Yes, but during the same period, my boy, the English 
broke their criminals on a wheel, and quartered them. It 
was six of one and half a dozen of the other.” 

By this time the party had neared the ruined entrance 
to the castle. Nattie’s curiosity had been aroused by 
Mori’s tale, and he leaned forward to tell his jinrikisha 
man to stop, when there came a clattering of hoofs from 
the interior of the castle, and a cavalcade rode out upon 
the broken drawbridge. 

Hoarse cries of mutual surprise rang out, then both 
parties came to a sudden halt facing each other. A wild 
shout of joy came from Nattie: 

“Grant ! Grant ! I have found you at last !” 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 
sumo's army. 

For a better understanding of what follows it will be 
well to explain the situation of the castle of Yamagata, 
and its general construction. 

It was located on the southern edge of Lake Inawash- 
iro, and covered a large extent of ground. 

The main portion of the building was well preserved, 
consisting of a line of massive stone battlements with a 
lofty tower at each end. In the interior rose a shattered 
wall, all that was left of the extensive partitions. 

There were two entrances, one at the main drawbridge, 
still in good condition, and another nearer the lake. The 
latter was choked up with stones and various debris. A 
moat ran around three sides of the pile, connecting with 
the lake, which touched the fourth wall. 

The road ran past the front of the castle, and in the 
vicinity were numerous huts occupied by coolies working 
in the rice fields. An extensive forest of maple and wil- 
lows lined a good part of the lake. Rising in the dis- 
tance to the north was the majestic peak of Bandai-San. 

So much for description. 


224 Sumo’s Army. 

When Nattie and Mori heard the tramping of horses in 
the interior they were entirely unprepared to see issue 
from the main entrance a cavalcade composed of Ralph 
Black, Willis Round and Patrick Cronin, with Grant a 
prisoner in the center. 

The party was further augmented by Raiko and two 
brother coolies. For an instant the mutual surprise was 
so great that neither side made a movement. Nattie broke 
the spell by leaping from his ’rikisha with the glad cry : 

“Grant ! Grant ! I have found you at last !” 

The words had scarcely left his lips when Ralph Black, 
who was in advance, dashed the spurs into his horse, and 
whirled around. There was a brief scramble and confu- 
sion, then the whole cavalcade rode helter-skelter back 
into the castle. 

Grant was dragged with them, being still tied hand and 
foot. An instant later, an ancient portcullis, which had 
survived the ravages of time, fell into place with a crash, 
completely blocking the entrance. 

The sudden retreat of Ralph and his party left Nattie 
and Mori staring after them as if powerless to move. 
Their inaction did not last long, however. Wild with rage 
they darted across the drawbridge, but only to find the 
portcullis — an arrangement of timbers joined across one 
another after the manner of a harrow — barring their way. 


Sumo’s Army. 225 

Seizing one part of it, Nattie attempted to force himself 
through, but he was met with a bullet that whizzed past 
his head in dangerous proximity to that useful member. 
Simultaneous with the report there appeared on the other 
side Ralph and the ex-bookkeeper. 

Both carried revolvers, which they flourished mena- 
cingly. Deeming discretion the better part of valor, Nat- 
tie and Mori dodged behind a projecting corner of the 
massive entrance. A taunting laugh came to their ears. 

“Why don’t you come in and rescue your brother, you 
coward?” called out the merchant’s son. “What are you 
afraid of?” 

The epithet and the insulting tone was too much for 
Nattie’s hot young blood, and he was on the point of rush- 
ing forth from his shelter, regardless of consequences, 
when he was forcibly detained by Mori. 

“Stop! Don’t be foolish,” explained the young Japa- 
nese. “He is only trying to get a shot at you.” 

“But I can’t stand being called a coward by a cur like 
that.” 

“We will repay him in good time. We have them cor- 
nered, and all we have to do is to see that they don’t get 
away while we send for the authorities. Don’t ruin every- 
thing by your rashness.” 


226 Sumo’s Army. 

“Why don’t you storm the castle like the knights of 
old?” jeered Ralph, just then. “We are waiting for you.” 

“You are a scoundrel and a fool,” retorted Nattie, 
grimly, heeding his companion’s advice. “We’ve got you 
in a trap, and we’ll mighty soon turn you and your 
brother conspirators over to the law.” 

“Talk is cheap,” replied a voice from within the castle, 
but there was far less confidence in the tone. The speaker 
was Willis Round. Presently Patrick made himself heard. 

“Why don’t yez lift that fine-tooth comb thing and go 
out and fight them?” he asked, impatiently. “It’s meself 
that can whip the whole lot, although Oi shouldn’t be the 
one to tell it. Sally forth, Oi say, and sweep the spal- 
panes intid the lake.” 

It is unnecessary to say that his belligerent proposal 
was not adopted by his more discreet companions. There 
was a murmur of voices, as if the three were holding a 
consultation, then all became quiet. 

In the meantime, Nattie and Mori looked about them. 
Back in the road were the karumayas, still standing near 
their jinrikishas. One of the porters was with them, but 
Sumo had disappeared. The absence of the giant native 
struck the boys as peculiar, and they wondered whether 
he had fled at the first shot. 

Through the forest on the right they saw the outlines 


Sumo’s Army. 


227 


of several huts, and running toward the castle were three 
or four natives, evidently attracted by the revolver report. 
Turning their attention to themselves Nattie and Mori 
found that they were in a peculiar situation. 

Where they had taken refuge was a spot behind the 
projecting stone frame of the main entrance. There the 
drawbridge extended out a few feet, barely permitting 
room for two. There was no way of retreating from it 
save across the bridge in plain view of those in the castle. 

“Whew! We are nicely situated,” remarked Mori. 
“How are we going to reach the road, I wonder?” 

“I guess we’ll have to run for it,” replied Nattie, doubt- 
fully. 

“Yes, and get potted before we had gone three steps.” 

“Wait, I’ll peep out and see if they are still on guard.” 

Cautiously edging his way toward the center of the 
bridge, the lad glanced into the interior of the castle. He 
dodged back with great promptness, and said, with a 
grimace : 

“That bloodthirsty Irishman is standing near the port- 
cullis with two big revolvers pointed this way.” 

“Where are the others?” 

“I couldn’t see them.” 


Mori looked grave. 


228 


Sumo’s Army, 


“They are up to some trick,” he said. “I wonder if 
there is any way by which they could leave ?” 

“Not without they find a boat, or try to swim the lake.” 

“Don’t be too sure of it. These old shiros sometimes 
contain secret passages leading from the interior. They 
could fool us nicely if they should stumble across a tunnel 
running under the moat.” 

“Confound it ! we can’t remain here like two birds upon 
a limb,” exclaimed Nattie, impatiently. “We’ll have to 
make a dash for it. Come on ; I’ll lead.” 

He gathered himself together to dart across the fifteen 
feet of bridge, but before he could start a loud hail came 
from the forest to the north of the castle. 

Looking in that direction, they saw Sumo advancing 
with a whole host of natives. There were at least forty 
in the party, and each appeared to be armed with some 
sort of weapon. There were ancient guns, long spears, 
swords, reaping hooks and a number of plain clubs. 

With this martial array at his heels the giant porter 
approached the scene, bearing himself like a general at the 
head of a legion. As he walked, he flourished the sword 
given him by Mori, and kept up a running fire of orders 
to his impromptu command. At another time it would 
have been comical in the extreme, but under the circum- 


Sumo’s Army. 229 

stances, both Nattie and Mori hailed his appearance with 
joy. 

Alas for their hopes ! 

“Courage, masters l” shouted Sumo. “Wait where you 
are. We will drive the scoundrels from their stronghold. 
March faster, my braves; get ready to charge. ,, 

But at that interesting moment the little army arrived 
opposite the entrance. “Bang, bang !” went Patrick’s re- 
volvers, and in the twinkling of an eye the whole forty 
natives took to their heels, bestrewing the road with a 
choice collection of farming implements, ancient swords 
and clubs. 

Sumo had discretion enough to drop behind a stump, 
from which place of safety he watched the flight of his 
forces with feelings too harrowing to mention. 


CHAPTER XXIX. 


A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE. 

Despite their position, Nattie and Mori were compelled 
to laugh. And from within came a hoarse burst of merri- 
ment that fairly shook the air. 

“Ha, ha ! ho, ho ! Look at the monkeys, will ye ! Watch 
them run at the sound of a shot. Worra ! Patrick Cronin, 
did ye live to see the day when forty men would scoot 
fr6m the sight of yer face?” 

The fellow’s taunts were cut short in a manner unpleas- 
ant to his feelings. While he was dancing about inside, 
crowing over his victory, Mori crept behind his shelter 
and let drive with his pistol. The bullet cut a hole in Pat- 
rick’s sleeve, and sent him backward in hot haste. 

Seeing their advantage, both Nattie and the young 
Japanese darted across the drawbridge, reaching the 
shelter of the forest without mishap. There they were 
joined by Sumo, who appeared thoroughly discomfited. 

“I thought they would fight, masters,” he explained. 
“But it seems they would rather work in the paddy fields 
than face firearms. We are not all like that. If you wish, 


A Mysterious Disappearance. 231 

I will face that red-bearded foreigner myself, and I’ll cut 
his comb for him, too. ,, 

“That is not necessary, Sumo,” replied Nattie, with a 
smile. “We know you are brave, but we won’t put you to 
such a test. A man’s strength is as nothing before a 
leaden bullet.” 

“One good thing,” said Mori, “we are away from that 
trap on the drawbridge. Now we must arrange to capture 
the scoundrels. Sumo, who is a good man to send to the 
nearest town for police ?” 

The porter recommended one of the karumayas, and 
the fellow was immediately dispatched on a run with a 
written message to the chief official of the province. This 
matter attended to, Nattie and the young Japanese en- 
listed the services of a part of Sumo’s former forces and 
established a line of spies around the land side of the 
castle. 

Several natives were sent to a small village on the shore 
of the lake for boats, then the two youthful commanders 
established themselves within hailing distance of the cas- 
tle entrance. They could see Patrick pacing up and down, 
still alert. 

Nattie waved his white handkerchief as a flag of truce, 
and hailed him. 

“What do yez want?” growled the fellow, angrily. 


2 32 A Mysterious Disappearance. 

“Tell Ralph Black to come to the door.” 

“Not Oi. Oi’m no sarvant for the likes of yez.” 

“But I wish to speak with him, fool. It will be to his 
interest, probably.” 

“I am here,” suddenly replied a voice, and the mer- 
chant’s son showed himself through the portcullis. “What 
have you to say, Nattie Manning?” 

“I want to tell you that you will save time and trouble 
by surrendering my brother.” 

“You don’t say!” sneered Ralph. “And suppose we 
don’t look at it in that light ?” 

“You are a fool, that’s all.” 

“It is easy to call names out there.” 

“It would be still easier if I had you here.” 

“Let me explain matters a little, Ralph,” spoke up Mori, 
quietly. “You are in a bad box, and you know it. You 
and your father have committed a serious crime against 
the law by abducting Grant, and you will suffer for it.” 

“That’s our lookout,” was the reckless reply. 

“We have arranged matters so that you cannot hope to 
escape,” continued the young Japanese. “We have sent a 
messenger to the authorities, and in the course of a few 
hours a force of police will come to our assistance. It will 
then be an easy matter to capture you.” 


“You think so?” 


233 


A Mysterious Disappearance. 

“We know it to be so.” 

“Don’t be too sure, John.” 

Now, if there is anything on earth that will anger a 
native of Japan, it is the appellation “John.” It places 
them on the same level with the Chinamen in America, 
who conduct the familiar and omnipresent laundry, and, 
look you, the Japanese rightly consider themselves much 
above their brother Asiatics. 

Mori felt the insult keenly, but he was too much of a 
gentleman to retort in kind. Nattie — hot-tempered, im- 
pulsive lad — could not restrain himself. 

“You cowardly brute!” he shouted, shaking his fist at 
Ralph. “I’d give half of what I expect to own on this 
earth to have you before me for five minutes.” 

The merchant’s son paled with anger, but he discreetly 
ignored the challenge. * 

“What would you do, blowhard?” he blustered. “You 
think yourself something, but I can bring even you to 
your knees.” 

“We will see about that when the officers of the law ar- 
rive,” replied Nattie, grimly. 

“As I said before, don’t be too sure. I have not played 
all my cards.” 

Mori and Nattie exchanged glances. What could the 
fellow mean? Ralph speedily informed them. 


234 A Mysterious Disappearance. 

“Do you think I would tamely submit to arrest and go 
from here with the certain knowledge that my destination 
would be a long term in a prison ?” he snarled. “Do you 
think I am a fool ? I have a safeguard here in the person 
of your puny, crippled brother.” 

Again Mori and Nattie asked themselves what the fel- 
low meant. Was it possible he would be villain enough to 
resort to personal violence. The younger Manning paled 
at the very thought. 

“What would you do ?” he called out, and his voice was 
unsteady. 

Ralph laughed, triumphantly. 

“I see I have touched the right spot,” he replied. “I’ll 
tell you in a very few words. If you do not permit us to 
go free from here and give your solemn promise — I guess 
you had better put it in writing — that you will not molest 
us for this, and also that you will withdraw from the com- 
petition for those army contracts, I’ll kill Grant Manning 
with my own hands.” 

Nattie was very white when the English youth finished. 
His worst fears were realized. That Ralph meant what he 
said he firmly believed. Not so Mori. 

“Don’t pay any attention to his threats,” whispered the 
latter. “He is only trying what you Americans call a 


A Mysterious Disappearance. 235 

‘bluff/ He wouldn’t dare do any such thing. He thinks 
too much of his own neck, the precious scoundrel/’ 

As if in refutation of his opinion, Ralph called out in 
determined tones: 

“I mean what I say. I would rather hang than live ten 
or fifteen years in prison. I leave it to you. You can take 
your choice. I will give you ten minutes to make up your 
minds, and if, at the end of that time, you do not agree 
to my terms it’ll be the last of your brother/’ 

“Come away where we can talk without being under the 
eye of that miserable villain,” said Mori, gravely. 

“Wait ; I wish to try a last chance,” replied Nattie. He 
added in a loud voice: “In the castle, there. Willis 
Round, Cronin, do you intend to abide by Ralph Black’s 
murderous proposition ?” 

“That Oi do, and if he’d take my advice, he’d kill th’ lot 
of yez,” instantly replied the Irishman. 

The ex-bookkeeper’s answer was longer in coming, and 
it was not so emphatic, but it was to the same effect. Nat- 
tie was turning away sadly when he heard Grant’s familiar 
voice saying, resolutely : 

“Do not give in, brother. Wait for the police, and you 
can capture them. Ralph won’t ” 

The sentence remained unfinished. The speaker’s cap- 
tors had evidently interposed with effect. Nattie and Mori 


236 A Mysterious Disappearance. 

walked sadly to the edge of the forest. They left Sumo 
in front of the entrance on watch. 

“There isn’t any use talking about it,” said the former. 
“We must agree to his terms. I wouldn’t have a hair of 
Grant’s head harmed for all the contracts on earth. True, 
he may be lying, but it is better to run no risks. What do 
you think about it?” 

“I believe you are right. We will permit them to go 
free, but we’ll wait until the expiration of the time men- 
tioned. Perhaps something will turn up. I hate to see 
that scoundrel and his mates crowing over us.” 

“I have known Ralph Black a great many years, but I 
never thought he would prove to be such a thoroughly 
heartless and desperate villain. As a boy he was head- 
strong and willful. He delighted in cruelty to animals, 
and was brutal to those weaker than himself, but I little 
dreamed he would come to this.” 

“The boy was father to the man,” replied Mori, philo- 
sophically. “He had it in him from birth. It is heredi- 
tary; see what his father is. Well, the time is almost up, 
and we might as well go and confess ourselves beaten. 
Ugh ! it is a bitter pill to swallow.” 

On rejoining Sumo they found that worthy moving un- 
easily about in front of the entrance. They saw also that 
the space behind the portcullis was empty. The tramping 


A Mysterious Disappearance. 237 

of horses came from within, but there were no signs of 
Ralph or his companions. 

“Where in the deuce have they gone?” exclaimed Nat- 
tie, anxiously. 

“I do not know, excellency,” replied the porter. “The 
funny man with the fire hair and the youth went away 
from the door a few minutes ago. The tall, thin “man, 
ran up to them and said something in a voice full of joy, 
then they all disappeared.” 

I 1 

“Something is tip,” exclaimed Mori, then he hailed the 
castle in a loud voice. There was no reply. Nattie re- 
peated the summons, but with the same result. Now thor- 
oughly alarmed, he and the young Japanese advanced to 
the portcullis and beat upon it with their weapons. 

An echoing sound came from the gloomy interior, but 
that was all. Sumo was instantly bidden to bring men 
with axes, and others were sent along the shore of the 
lake to see if an attempt at escape had been made. 

In due time the barrier at the entrance was broken 
away, and the two lads, followed by their native allies, 
rushed past into the ruins. Over in one corner of what 
had been the main yard were five horses tethered to sev- 
eral posts. Stores and articles of clothing were scattered 
about, but of the fugitive party there was no sign. 


238 A Mysterious Disappearance. 

A hasty search was made of the different apartments; 
the remains of the roof were examined; the outer walls 
inspected, but at last Nattie and his companions were com- 
pelled to acknowledge themselves baffled. The entire 
party, prisoner and all, had mysteriously disappeared. 


CHAPTER XXX. 


THE TRAGEDY IN THE TUNNEL. 

Greatly puzzled, the lads searched the interior again 
and again. Not a place large enough to accommodate 
even a dog was omitted. The towers were mere shells, 
with here and there a huge beam of wood, all that was 
left of the different floors. 

A door opening upon the lake was found, but it had 
been impassable for years. Masses of debris, encumbering 
the castle, were moved about, but nothing was discovered 
until finally the giant, Sumo, while delving into the dark- 
est corner of the most remote apartment, suddenly stepped 
into a hole, and narrowly saved himself by grasping at 
the edge. 

His cries brought the whole party helter-skelter into the 
room. A torch of resinous pine was lighted, and the mys- 
tery revealed. The hole was the jagged entrance to a 
tunnel, the bottom of which was dimly visible in the rays 
cast by the flickering light. 

“It is a secret exit from the castle/’ cried Nattie. 
“Quick ! bring other torches ; we must follow at once.” 

“I thought we would find something of the kind,” re- 


240 The Tragedy in the Tunnel. 

marked Mori, no less excited. “All these old shir os have 
such outlets. It is fortunate we have found this so easily. 
The other party cannot be very far in advance.” 

There was much running about, but finally a start was 
made with an ample supply of torches. Sumo was the 
only native that could be induced to accompany the lads, 
the others hanging back in superstitious terror. 

Word was left with one of the ’rikisha men to hold the 
police at the castle until word arrived, then Nattie and 
Mori eagerly descended into the cavity, Sumo bringing 
up the rear with the sticks of pine and his ancient sword. 

A few crumbling steps led to the bottom, which was 
about twelve or thirteen feet from the floor. A little heap 
of dust at the lower level bore the imprints of several 
feet. It was proof enough that the fugitives had entered 
the tunnel. 

A couple of yards from the entrance the excavation 
made a sharp descent. The floor was thick with slime, and 
moisture dripped from overhead. The tunnel became 
smaller and smaller and traces of masonry were found. 

“We are passing under the moat,” said Mori, elevating 
his torch. “Ugh ! what a dreadful place this is.” 

Nattie made no reply. He walked ahead steadily, and 
ever kept his eyes in advance, as if eager to catch sight 
of the fugitives. Huge rats peered at the party from 


241 


The Tragedy in the Tunnel. 

sheltered nooks, or darted across their path, as if careless 
of molestation. The silence was intense; the solitude 
painful. 

Presently the air became foul. It was thick and heavy 
with an odor like that of a tomb. On turning a comer 
they suddenly came upon a row of human skeletons 
stretched out in an orderly manner upon the floor. It was 
a ghastly spectacle, and brought a terrified cry from Sumo. 
He stopped and appeared unwilling to cross the bones. 

“Come on, or remain alone,” said Nattie, grimly. 

The giant porter promptly followed them, but his huge 
frame shook with superstitious fear. At the end of five 
minutes, a brief halt was made. The tunnel was filled 
with a dark, moldy air, difficult to breathe. Gasping and 
coughing, Mori turned an inquiring eye to his friend. 

“We must not turn back,” replied the lad. “They 
passed through here, and we can also. Come; we are 
losing time. See, the torches are burning out. If we do 
not hasten we will be left in darkness.” 

The very possibility of such a dread occurrence sent 
the trio on almost at a run. To be left in darkness in the 
tunnel, with its ghastly tenants, was terrifying to con- 
template. Sumo magnified the horrors a hundredfold 
through his ignorance, and his plight was pitiful to see. 

On, on; the torches flickering; grotesque shadows sur- 


2^2 The Tragedy in the Tunnel. 

rounding them ; the atmosphere becoming more dank and 
difficult to breathe with each passing moment. Huge ro- 
dents pattering before, their sharp, piercing eyes gleaming 
like the optics of fleeing demons ; a dripping of water here 
and puddles of foul scum there. 

Only one thing strengthened the little party as they 
sped along, and that was the knowledge that other humans 
had passed through the same horrors but a few brief mo- 
ments before. 

“How much farther ?” gasped Mori, for the tenth time. 

“How much farther?” echoed Sumo, with a groan. 

“Heart up,” replied Nattie, redoubling his speed. “We 
must be almost there. Don’t give up. Remember Ralph 
and the others took the same journey. Are they more 
brave than we ?” 

“You are right, my boy. We must persist ; the end can- 
not be far away.” 

They had already traveled a distance at least equal to 
two city blocks. The tunnel had made various turns, but 
as yet they had not encountered any side excavations. 
This was fortunate, as it permitted them to continue ahead 
without any doubt as to the proper passage. 

Presently, to the unspeakable delight of all three, the air 


became less foul. 


The Tragedy in the Tunnel. 243 

“We are almost there,” cried Nattie, cheerily. “Cour- 
age, courage !” 

It was time. The torches, mere pine slivers, had burned 
away until only a few inches remained. They had started 
with an ample supply, but while passing the ghastly array 
of skeletons, Sumo had dropped the reserve bundle in his 
terror. 

Suddenly the one carried by Mori gave out ; then Nat- 
tie’s gave a feeble splutter and expired. Presently, how- 
ever, the floor in the tunnel began to brighten, and finally, 
on turning a corner, a feeble speck of light became per- 
ceptible in the distance. 

“The end, thank God!” shouted Mori. 

The echoes of his voice had hardly died away when a 
most dreadful thing happened. Without the slightest 
warning to herald its approach there came a terrific rend- 
ing shock. It seemed as if the very bowels of the earth 
had collapsed in one great crash. 

Nattie and Mori and Sumo were thrown to the ground 
with violent force, and there they lay mercifully deprived 
of consciousness, while around them the walls and roof 
and floor of the tunnel heaved and pitched in the throes of 
an earthquake. 

The disturbance only lasted a moment, but it was some 
time before the little party recovered. Nattie was the first 


244 The Tragedy in the Tunnel. 

to stagger to his feet. The torch had gone out, leaving an 
impenetrable darkness. The welcoming light — the light 
proclaiming the exit from the tunnel — had disappeared. 

The lad was bewildered, almost daft, and small wonder. 
He lurched about until at last he stumbled and fell across 
Mori. The shock brought the young Japanese to his 
senses. Then Sumo scrambled to his feet. 

Panic-stricken, they started to run. Slipping, stagger- 
ing, sorely bruising themselves against the sides of the 
passage, they fled in overwhelming terror. A yard, ten 
yards, a hundred yards, and then they brought up with a 
crash against an impenetrable barrier of rock and earth. 

The exit was closed ! 


CHAPTER XXXI. 


RALPH SECURES REINFORCEMENTS. 

“The exit is closed !” 

The cry came simultaneously from all three. Shrill and 
with a terrible weight of despair it echoed through the 
tunnel. Then came a weird crooning. It was the death- 
song of Sumo’s people. 

Mori stopped him with a fierce command, saying, 
harshly : 

“Silence, dog ! Would you add to our misery ? Silence, 
I say!” 

The result of civilization now became apparent. The 
first natural feeling of terror passed, the reaction came, 
and both Nattie and the young Japanese were able to dis- 
cuss their situation with more or less calmness. 

“This is dreadful, simply dreadful,” said the latter ; “but 
we must face it and see what can be done to save our- 
selves.” 

“What was it, an earthquake?” 

“Yes, but not much of a shock. We felt it down here ; 
above ground it was simply a wave of minor strength.” 


246 Ralph. Secures Reinforcements. 

“But others may come, masters,” exclaimed the porter, 
with chattering teeth. 

“You are right. We must hasten back the way we 
came. The shock has barred our passage in this direc- 
tion ; only the castle exit remains to us.” 

There was little time lost in commencing the retreat. 
Grasping hands the three staggered along the tunnel floor, 
walking, running, and even crawling at times. The dust 
that had filled the excavation immediately after the earth- 
quake soon settled, and the breathing became easier. 

Presently Nattie stopped. 

“What is the matter ?” anxiously asked Mori. 

“Grant — what of him?” replied the lad, pitifully. “Do 
you think they succeeded in leaving before the shock 
came ?” 

“Undoubtedly. We saw the exit, and had almost gained 
it. They had at least ten minutes’ start. Don’t worry; 
Grant is safe.” 

Reassured, Nattie resumed the flight with his compan- 
ions. In due time they came to the crypt occupied by the 
skeletons, but Sumo never faltered. That terror had 
paled before a greater. 

A foreboding that another barrier might be encountered 
brought a pallor to the cheeks of the fugitives. The fear 
was fortunately without foundation. The passage re- 


Ralph Secures Reinforcements. 247 

mained clear, and in due course of time they reached the 
bottom of the steps leading to the castle floor. 

Weary, worn out, their clothing disordered and torn, 
and with the fear of death still lingering in their faces, the 
three painfully scrambled into the air and flung them- 
selves, gasping for breath, upon the stone pavement of the 
inner yard of the shiro. 

The place was deserted. The coolies and ’rikisha men 
had evidently fled at the first signs of the earthquake. 
Presently a confused murmur of voices from the outside 
indicated that they were still within easy call. 

After a brief moment of rest Nattie staggered to his 
feet, and, followed by his companions, emerged upon the 
drawbridge. Their appearance was received with shouts 
of astonishment and awe. To the superstitious eyes of 
the natives, they were as beings of another world. 

That any mortal could survive the clutches of the 
jishin, or earthquake, while in its domains underground 
was not possible. With one accord the terrified natives 
fled for the forest. 

They were speedily brought to a halt by Mori, who was 
in no mood for foolishness. Rushing after them, he 
grasped the nearest and fiercely ordered him to bring food 
and sake , the mild wine of the country. 

“Fools; what think you?” he exclaimed. “We are not 


248 Ralph Secures Reinforcements. 

ghosts. We have escaped from the tunnel through the aid 
of a merciful Providence. We are exhausted, and require 
meat and drink.” 

With many ejaculations of awe and amazement the 
karumayas obeyed. Before eating, Mori, Nattie and 
Sumo removed the tattered remnants of their clothing, 
and bathed themselves in the cool waters of the lake. 
Then a few mouthfuls of food were taken. 

The wine put new life in the lads. Refreshed and in- 
vigorated, they prepared for the pursuit. It was decided 
without caution that the caves must be reached without 
delay. 

“I am positive it is their destination,” said Nattie. 

“Undoubtedly. We will follow the scoundrels with the 
aid of their own horses. Sumo, you and two others come 
with us. The rest can wait for the arrival of the police. 
Forward !” 

After the party had ridden a short distance, Mori was 
seen to cast many anxious glances toward the mighty peak 
of Bandai-San. It was in plain view, apparently on the 
other shore of the lake, and its sloping reaches spoke 
eloquently of the ages in which the flow of molten lava 
had created the majestic mountain. 

“What is the matter?” asked Nattie. 

“I don’t like the looks of the old fellow this morning,” 


Ralph Secures Reinforcements. 249 

replied the young Japanese. “Do you see that misty 
vapor hovering over the summit. That means activity of 
the volcano. Mark my words, it is on the eve of an erup- 
tion.’ , 

“Yes, Bandai-San is awaking from his long sleep,” put 
in Sumo. 

“That earthquake must have had something to do with 
it,” said Nattie. 

“No doubt. It may be the forerunner of a strong dis- 
turbance.” 

As they rode on, the curious cloud became more pro- 
nounced. Fearing the recurrence of a shock, the party 
avoided the shelter of trees, and kept to the open as much 
as possible. 

After leaving the neighborhood of the lake a road was 
encountered, so bad that it was necessary to walk the 
horses. At last it degenerated into a mere path among 
the narrow paddy fields. A collection of rude huts hardly 
numerous enough to deserve the title of village was 
reached after a while. 

Singularly enough, there were no inhabitants visible. 
Not the slightest signs of life could be seen save the still 
smoking embers of a fire outside of one of the houses. 
This apparent air of desertion was rendered all the more 


250 Ralph Secures Reinforcements. 

strange because of the intense interest generally created 
among the natives by the cavalcade. 

“Find out what is the matter, Sumo,” directed Mori. 

The giant cantered up to one of the huts and rapped 
lustily upon the wall with his sword. Presently a head 
was thrust through a hole in the thatch, but it immediately 
disappeared on seeing the warlike porter. 

“Come out of that,” Sumo shouted, authoritatively. 
“Give my masters some information, or I’ll burn your hut 
about your ears. Out, I say !” 

There was a moment of delay, then a shrinking, half- 
clad Japanese coolie crept from the door and cast himself 
at Sumo’s feet. He was evidently greatly terrified. He 
wailed aloud, and refused to raise his head from the dust. 
Impatient at the delay, Mori and Nattie rode up and com- 
manded the wretch to speak. 

“Did a party composed of foreigners and several coolies 
with a prisoner pass through here recently?” asked the 
former. 

“Yes, excellency,” stammered the man. “There were 
seven in all. They stopped here, and compelled twenty of 
our best men to accompany them. They made them carry 
reaping-hooks and almost all the provisions in town. 
They took my store of rice for the winter.” 

“Whew! Ralph intends to prepare for a siege,” ex- 


Ralph Secures Reinforcements. 251 

claimed Nattie. “What a fool he is ! Men and provisions, 
eh ? What can he hope to do against the authorities ?” 

“Did they state their destination?” Mori asked the na- 
tive. 

“No, but they went in that direction,” he replied, point- 
ing beyond Bandai-San. 

“That’s the way to the caves,” muttered Nattie, then 
he added, aloud : “How long have they been gone ?” 

“Not twenty minutes, excellency. Look! you can see 
the dust still lingering above the bushes upon that hill. 
They are not to the base of the mountain yet.” 

After tossing the man a couple of yen, to repay him for 
the loss of his rice, Nattie put spurs to his horse and led 
the way up the path. Presently the party reached a spe- 
cies of tableland, near the summit of an almost inaccessi- 
ble hill which rose near the base of the volcano. 


CHAPTER XXXII. 


THE FLASHING OF THE SWORDS. 

The spot seemed wild and desolate, there being no evi- 
dence of cultivation or of human habitation. On one side 
extended numerous deep ravines, which gave an air of 
solemnity to the scene. The narrow, seldom-used path 
turned sharply to the left in a direction away from their 
destination. 

A halt was called upon a natural platform overgrown 
with brambles. Sumo, who had some knowledge of wood- 
craft, leaped from his horse and examined the brush. 

“They have passed here, masters,” he announced. “I 
find little threads hanging to the thorns ; and the grass is 
trampled in places.” 

“We must proceed with caution,” said Mori, restraining 
Nattie, who had already started. “Remember, Ralph has 
a number of men with him, and he is liable to ambuscade 
us.” 

“I will go on ahead,” volunteered the giant porter, 
swinging his massive sword vindictively. “You follow 
slowly. If I see anything I will make the sound of a wild 
crow.” 


Tlie Flashing of the Swords. 253 

“Don’t lose any time in your scouting,” said Nattie, im- 
patiently. “Confound them, they’ll get away from us yet.” 

Leaving his horse in charge of one of the coolies, Sumo 
slipped through the brush and disappeared down one of 
the ravines. After looking to their weapons, the rest 
silently followed. They had barely traveled a hundred 
yards when the harsh cry of a wild crow came to their 
ears-; then before the echoes had died away, the fierce 
clashing of steel thrilled the air. 

“He has been attacked,” shouted Nattie, putting his 
horse to the bushes. “Quick, we have them now !” 

With the rest at his back, he dashed down a gentle slope 
into the head of the ravine. Passing a large clump of 
trees they came upon a most thrilling scene. Two hun- 
dred yards from the hill the valley narrowed to a space not 
wider than a city sidewalk. 

The “gut” was formed by a huge mass of earth, which 
had fallen from the heights overhead. The bottom was 
evidently the dry bed of a mountain stream, and innumer- 
able bowlders and jagged pieces of flint were scattered 
here and there, rendering walking difficult. 

The scenery was an afterthought. That which in- 
stantly attracted the attention of Nattie and Mori was the 
figure of a native almost as large as Sumo standing at 
the beginning of the narrow passage. The fellow was 


254 The Flashing of the Swords. 

armed with a sword, which he shook vindictively at the 
party. 

Several feet away stood the giant porter, calmly whet- 
ting the huge weapon given him by Mori. Farther up the 
ravine stood the Irishman, Patrick Cronin. The man 
grinned impudently on seeing the newcomers, then he 
turned and disappeared behind a mass of underbrush. 

“After him !” shouted Nattie, riding headlong into the 
valley. 

“Hold!” 

The abrupt warning came from Sumo. He had strode 
in the way with one hand raised. 

“What do you mean?” demanded Mori. And as he 
spoke he leveled his revolver at the challenging figure 
standing in the middle of the “gut.” 

“Don’t shoot him, excellency,” exclaimed Sumo, im- 
ploringly. “That is Raiko, the thug. I knew him in Yo- 
kohama. He did me an injury once. Now, I claim satis- 
faction.” 

“What nonsense is this ?” shouted Nattie. “Would you 
delay us, man ?” 

“It will not take long,” replied Sumo, with a scowl 
directed toward Raiko. “I’ll promise you his head in the 
song of a stork. See ! I commence.” 

He sprang forward, and with great agility threw him- 


255 


The Flashing of the Swords. 

self upon Raiko. The latter uttered a shrill cry, seem- 
ingly of exultation and defiance, and in the twinkling of an 
eye the ancient enemies were engaged in what evidently 
promised to be mortal combat. 

Human nature is not proof against the thrill and ex- 
citement of war. Much as we deplore fighting, there is 
something in the clash of arms that fascinates us. From 
the glorious spectacle of marshaled armies to the duel be- 
tween individuals, there is a charm not to be resisted by 
mankind of any degree. 

Nattie and Mori were not different in that respect from 
other lads. They were both truthful, honest, manly boys, 
with a just knowledge of right and wrong, but deep down 
in their hearts was a little of the old leaven with which 
we are still afflicted more or less. 

For the moment they forgot their quest and watched 
the fight with eager eyes. The two combatants were 
equally matched. If anything, Sumo was slightly taller, 
but Raiko made up for the discrepancy in a greater 
breadth of shoulders. 

Both were armed with the heavy two-edged sword 
formerly used by the ancient daimios, and they were fairly 
skilled in the practice. Raiko had the advantage in posi- 
tion. Where he had taken his stand was a spot elevated 
a foot or more above the rest of the ravine. Sumo, how- 


256 The Flashing of the Swords. 


ever, had greater room in which to swing his weapon, and 
in case of pressure he had the ravine at his back. 

At the first onslaught the play was furious, and the 
rocks rang with the clash of steel. Cut, slash, went the 
swords. Backward and forward sprang the antagonists. 
Now to the right, now to the left, dodging, leaping, ad- 
vancing, and retreating. 

In the midst of it all came the hissing murmur of 
strained voices. Tongues were going as well as arms — 
words keen with venom; phrases sharpened with hate 
played their part in the fierce duel. 

Presently the fury of the combat had slackened. Nature 
was calling a halt. Of the two, Raiko had suffered the 
most. He was bleeding in a dozen places. But Sumo 
had not entirely escaped. A broad, raw wound on his 
right thigh showed where his antagonist’s sword had 
tasted blood. 

Like two bucks weary with strife, the twain backed 
away from one another and, leaning upon their weapons, 
glared with unabated hatred. The respite was momen- 
tary. Ere Nattie and Mori could speak they were at it 
again. 

“Dog ! Robber of the lame !” shouted Sumo, aiming a 
shrewd blow at his enemy. “Your career is ended. Now 
for a taste of revenge. Remember the night at the mat- 


The Flashing of the Swords. 257 

sura? Remember the cowardly thrust thou gavest my 
brother ?” 

“Yes; and I have one such for thee, worm!” retorted 
Raiko. “Thou bulk of nothingness, I’ll send thee to the 
offal heap to-day, and — ugh ! ugh !” 

With a harsh cry, almost inhuman in its intensity, he 
fell against the side of the ravine, sent there by a terrible 
downward blow from Sumo’s triumphant sword. Leaping 
upon his prostrate enemy, the giant porter gave a sweep 
of the weapon, then he stood erect with Raiko’s gory 
head in his grasp ! 


CHAPTER XXXIII. 

“grant! brother, is it you?” 

The scene was tragic. A ray from the afternoon sun 
glinted down through a rift in the foliage, bringing out in 
bold relief the warrior figure of the giant. Thus he stood 
for a moment, evidently tasting his triumph to the full, 
then, with a contemptuous laugh, he tossed the head of 
his fallen foe upon the prostrate trunk. 

“Send me to the offal heap, thou braggart?” he ex- 
claimed. “Where art thou now, Raiko? It was a lie 
to be answered with the rest of thy sins at the foot of the 
throne of Buddha. Poof! that was an easy fight. Now 
I try conclusions with the fiery-bearded foreigner.” 

Turning, he sped up the ravine and vanished from 
sight, leaving Nattie and Mori eying one another in as- 
tonishment. 

“What a bloodthirsty wretch it is !” said the latter. 

“Civilization is merely skin deep in some,” dryly re- 
plied his companion. “This is a sorry spectacle even in 
the interior of your country. Don’t you think we should 
feel ashamed?” 

“I don’t know but that you are right,” was the naive 


“Grant! Brother, is it You?” 


259 


reply. “But, confound it all, Nattie, Sumo had great 
provocation, and, remember, he fought in our interests.” 

“Then we will forgive him. I’ll harbor a little con- 
tempt for myself for some time, though. Let somebody 
bury the body, or take it to the nearest village. Come; 
we have lost too much time as it is.” 

“Sumo is as rash as he is brave,” remarked Mori, as 
he rode along at his friend’s side. “If he don’t watch out, 
Patrick will nab him.” 

While trotting across a rocky shelf, Nattie chanced to 
look up toward the cone of the nearby volcano. To his 
surprise, he saw that the vapory mist had given way to a 
dense volume of pitch-black smoke. Little tongues of 
flame shot athwart the column at intervals, and hovering 
over the summit was a cloud of ashes glinting dully in the 
sun. 

“That looks threatening,” he exclaimed, calling Mori’s 
attention to it. 

“By Jove, Bandai-San is in eruption,” was the instant 
reply. “It is the first time in my memory, too.” Then he 
added, gravely : “Nattie, this comes at a bad time.” 

“Why?” 

“If there should be a flow of lava — which is highly 
probable — our stay in this neighborhood will be dan- 
gerous.” 


26 o 


“Grant! Brother, is it You?” 


“Does it ever reach this far ?” 

“No; but we must pass near the base of the mountain 
on our way to the caves.” 

“And the other party?” 

“They will be placed in peril also.” 

“Then we must catch them before they reach there,” 
exclaimed Nattie, urging his horse forward. “I don’t 
care a snap for Ralph or his crew, but Grant ” 

“Sh-h-h! Some one is coming down the ravine.” 

A dull noise, like the scrambling of naked feet over the 
gravel and rocky soil of the dry river bed, came to their 
ears. It increased until at last it became evident that a 
considerable body of men were approaching. 

“Quick! out of the way!” exclaimed Nattie, turning 
sharply to the right. 

Reining in his steed behind an overhanging mass of 
earth, he drew his revolver and waited in silence. 

Mori soon joined him. They had barely concealed 
themselves when a score of half-naked natives dashed past, 
uttering cries of alarm as they ran. 

They were apparently wild with terror. The cause was 
speedily explained. While hurrying down the ravine 
more than one would pause and cast fearful glances to- 
ward the smoking crater of old Bandai-San. The im- 
pending eruption was the secret of their flight. 


“Grant! Brother, is it You?” 


261 


“It is the body of villagers taken away by Ralph,” said 
Mori. “Their terror of the volcano has proved stronger 
than their fear of the foreigners. Good ! I am glad they 
have abandoned him. Now he won’t have such an over- 
whelming force.” 

“Did you notice whether the two other coolies were with 
them ? I mean those who were with Ralph at the castle ?” 

“I think I did see one. Humph ! you can rest assured 
that very few natives will remain in the neighborhood 
when a volcano is spouting fire. I even wonder that 
Sumo ” 

As if the name carried the magic power of conjuring, 
it was barely uttered when the bushes on the left slope 
of the ravine parted and the giant porter strode into view. 

“Hail, masters,” he said, stopping and wiping his per- 
spiring face. 

“Where have you been ? What have you seen ?” asked 
Nattie and Mori, in a breath. 

“I was in chase of the devil with the red beard.” 

“Did you see him ?” 

Sumo laughed grimly. 

“Yes, as the hunter sees the hawk in its flight,” he re- 
plied. “Red-beard is swift in his pace when danger 
threatens.” 

“Did you see the others ?” eagerly asked Nattie. 


262 “Grant! Brother, is it You?” 

“No, but I followed them close to the mud caves. Poof! 
they are fools. Know they not that the demon of the 
mountain, old himself, lives there? And now is 

his hunting time. See! Bandai-San is angry. He sends 
forth fire and smoke. Presently the river that runs molten 
red will flow down the mountainside. ,, 

“Are you afraid?” rather contemptuously asked Nattie. 

“Not of mortal, master ; but it is no shame to bow to the 
wrath of the gods. Whither go you ?” 

“In search of my brother,” was the terse reply, and the 
lad set spurs to his horse. 

“You shall not go alone,” spoke up Mori, riding after 
him. 

Sumo glanced after their retreating forms, then he cast 
his eyes upward to where the smoke over the crater was 
assuming a ruddy tinge. It was enough. Tossing up his 
arms, he started off at a long trot and vanished over the 
bit of tableland at the head of the ravine. His supersti- 
tious fears had proved the victor. 

“Mori, you are a friend indeed,” said Nattie, when the 
young Japanese rejoined him. “But I cannot permit you 
to run unnecessary risks for our sake. Return while you 
have the chance.” 

“Not much,” was the hearty reply. “Where you go I 
go. You insult me. Do you think I would leave you and 


“Grant! Brother, is it You?’' 263 

Grant in the lurch? Not if ten thousand volcanoes were 
to erupt. Tut! tut! that will do. Not another word.” 

“I will say this, old fellow,” gratefully. “You will 
never regret your actions on this trip. We will find some 
way to repay you.” 

On up the valley rode the two friends, side by side. 
Presently a place was reached where it became necessary 
to leave the horses and continue on foot. Shortly after 
they had dismounted there came a deep rumbling noise 
and the earth trembled beneath their feet. 

Pale but resolute, they strode along. There was a 
smell of sulphur in the air ; the leaves of the scrubby trees 
were coated with impalpable gray ashes, and a sifting 
cloud of powdery fragments fell upon them. 

Suddenly, while passing around an abrupt bend in the 
ravine, they saw ahead of them the figure of a youth 
limping in their direction. Nattie gave the newcomer one 
startled glance, then he rushed forward, crying : 

“Grant ! Brother, is it you ?” 


CHAPTER XXXIV. 


THE MYSTERIOUS FORCES OF NATURE. 

It was Grant. Hobbling along as fast as his crippled 
limbs could carry him, he threw himself into his brother’s 
arms, and for a moment they forgot all else in the emotion 
of their greeting. Then Mori came in for his well-earned 
share. 

The amount of handshaking and incoherent expressions 
that followed was wonderful. Mutual explanations were 
demanded and given with hearty good will. The lame 
youth told briefly his experiences on board the junk, then 
he added : 

“After we left that dreadful tunnel running from the 
castle I almost gave up hope. I felt instinctively that you 
were underground when that first earthquake shock came, 
and I was awfully worried.” 

“We escaped, as you can see,” said Nattie, with a happy 
grin. 

“If not you are pretty lively ghosts,” said Grant, in the 
same vein ; then he continued : “That brute Ralph hurried 
us along the mountain for a while. Then we stopped at 
a village and compelled some of the poor natives to accom- 


The Mysterious Forces of Nature. 265 

pany us. I tell you, Ralph Black must be crazy. None 
but a lunatic would hope to escape from- the law for such 
an outrage. Fancy him thinking he could take me. to a 
cave in the mountain and keep off the lawful forces of the 
country.” 

“It is past belief,” remarked Mori. “But tell us, how 
did you manage to escape ?” 

“I am coming to that. But hadn’t we better leave this 
neighborhood ? Ralph and Patrick are liable to follow me 
at any moment.” 

“Where is Willis Round ?” quickly asked Nattie, noting 
the omission of the bookkeeper’s name. 

Grant smiled. 

“We needn’t fear anything from him,” he said. 

“Is he dead?” 

“No; he helped me to escape.” 

“What!” 

“It is a fact. Wait ; I’ll tell you. After we arrived in 
the vicinity of the caves — which are dreadful places, by 
the way — Round slipped up to me and began to talk about 
matters in general. Before he had said many words I saw 
his object. He was trying to 'hedge,’ as they call it in 
racing parlance.” 

“To crawl out of the scrape, eh?” 

“Yes; I led him on, and he presently asked me point- 


266 The Mysterious Forces of Nature. 

blank if I would promise to save him from punishment 
if he should help me to escape. I replied that I would 
do what I could for him, but I would promise nothing. 
He was content with that, and after a while he succeeded 
in cutting the thongs binding my hands. 

“Shortly after, while we were hurrying through a dense 
copse I slipped behind and ran as fast as I could on the 
back trail. It was a risky piece of business, as Ralph had 
threatened to shoot me if I made another attempt to es- 
cape.” 

“And the villain would do it, too,” said Nattie. 

“I believe he would. The boy is crazy — clean stark 
crazy. None but a lunatic would do as he has done.” 

“They must see their mistake now,” remarked Mori, 
grimly. * 

“They do. Willis Round is nearly frightened to death. 
Patrick still remains obstinate and advises a general 
slaughter of all, but I think he is weakening. The na- 
tives they took from the village deserted on account of 
the threatening eruption of the volcano.” 

All three glanced up to the summit of Bandai-San. The 
smoke and flame had increased in volume. It was a terri- 
fying sight and instinctively the little party moved toward 
the head of the ravine. 

They had walked only a short distance when a tremor 


The Mysterious Forces of Nature. 267 

shook the earth, sending a mass of dirt and rocks tum- 
bling down the side of the valley. Then, in the twinkling 
of an eye, a thick cloud of ashes was showered upon 
them. 

Now thoroughly frightened, the boys set out at a run, 
Nattie and Mori assisting the crippled youth, one on each 
side. Suddenly a dull shock, like the explosion of a mine, 
almost knocked them prostrate, and directly in front they 
saw the earth fly from a conical hole in the side of the 
ravine with the impetus of a hundred-ton gun. 

When the dust and debris settled, they beheld a small 
crater, probably fifteen feet in width, occupying a spot a 
dozen yards above the dry bed of the stream. It was 
only a small affair as craters go, but the mysterious opera- 
tion of the natural volcanic forces sent a thrill through the 
lads, and they scrambled to their feet with but one intent, 
and that was to leave the place as quickly as possible. 

“Come !” hoarsely exclaimed Mori, turning a face pallid 
with dread to his companions. “We haven’t a moment to 
lose. If an eruption should occur and the lava flow down 
this side of the mountain nothing could save us from a 
horrible death.” 

“Is it as bad as that?” gasped Nattie, glancing fearfully 
toward the volcano. 

The answer came not in words. Suddenly, and with 


268 The Mysterious Forces of Nature. 

terrific force a thunderous report rent the air. Darkness 
darker than midnight fell upon the scene as if a pall had 
descended upon them from the heavens. A blinding 
shower of hot ashes and sand rained in torrents, then — 
then while the three lads groveled with their faces in the 
dust the earth rocked and rocked, and rocked again. 

Presently — was it a moment or an eternity? — a strange 
hissing noise became apparent. Multiply the escaping 
steam from an overcharged boiler ten thousand times and 
you would only have a faint idea of the terrible noise that 
filled the air to the exclusion of all other sounds. 

For the space of many seconds the earth continued to 
undulate like the surface of the sea. Explosion after ex- 
plosion came in rapid succession, each seeming greater 
than its predecessor, until at last one came that shook the 
earth to its foundations. 

To the three lads prone in the little ravine it was as if 
the end of the world had come. They lost all thought of 
time or place. They remained bowed down before the 
majestic forces of nature, incapable of moving, or speak- 
ing, or even thinking. 

In time the dread convulsions ceased. Ill with a nausea 
like that of the sea, Grant and Nattie and Mori finally 
scrambled to their feet and attempted to run. It was a 


The Mysterious Forces of Nature. 269 

futile effort. Their trembling limbs refused to carry 
them, and they sank back once more. . 

Let not the reader think it cowardice. No more brave 
and sturdy youths than Nattie and Mori could be found in 
all Japan. And Grant — if feeble in frame and prone to 
disease physically, his soul was absolutely fearless in the 
common happenings of life. 

Only those who have experienced the awful feeling 
incidental to one of those terrible convulsions of nature 
called earthquakes can testify as to its effect on the human 
mind. It is the most mysterious, and the most dreadful 
force known to man. The writer speaks from experience, 
having narrowly escaped with his life from one encoun- 
tered while on a journey through a Central American re- 
public. 

It came without warning, and in its duration of not 
more than eight seconds — think of it! — leveled hundreds 
of houses and claimed a score of human lives. Its imme- 
diate effect was as if the earth was slipping away and 
one’s grasp lost on all things mundane. 


CHAPTER XXXV. 

RETRIBUTION ! 

It was some time before the boys could again regain 
their feet. As the minutes slipped past without a recur- 
rence of the shocks their courage and self-confidence re- 
turned. They did not stop to discuss the matter, but 
promptly obeyed their first instinct, which was to leave 
the accursed spot without delay. 

They had barely started down the ravine with tottering 
limbs when Nattie, who was in the rear heard a hoarse 
cry behind him. It was not human. It was harsh and 
gurgling, like the scream of a wild fowl in the clutches 
of a giant eagle. 

The lad paused and glanced back, then he cried out in 
horror. His companions instantly turned and looked in 
the direction indicated by his outstretched hand. Ap- 
proaching them at a staggering walk was the almost un- 
recognizable figure of a tall, thin man. 

His clothing hung in charred tatters from a frame that 
seemed bent and distorted, evidently from some great ca- 
lamity ; the hat was gone, the hair burned away, and cak- 


Retribution ! 


271 

in g the lower limbs as high as the knees was a mass of 
grayish, slimy mud. 

As he advanced in a series of tremulous lurches he 
stretched forth his hands in piteous supplication. Pres- 
ently he fell to the ground and lay there writhing like a 
wounded animal. The boys ran to his side. They gave 
him one glance, then recoiled in horrified amazement. 

“Heavens above !” cried Grant ; “it is Willis Round !” 

The poor wretch at their feet twisted around and re- 
vealed a scarred, marked face with sightless eyes. After 
great effort, he whispered, hoarsely : 

“Water! water! Give me water!” 

Luckily, Nattie carried a canteen-shaped bottle of the 
precious fluid. Bending over, he placed it to the sufferer’s 
lips. With what joy and relief did he drink ! The draught 
placed new life in him. He presently gasped : 

“Who is — is here? Is it Grant — Grant Manning?” 

“Yes, it is I,” quickly replied the lame youth. “Can I 
do anything for you ? Ha ! why do I ask such a question ? 
Quick, Nattie, Mori; we must take him to the nearest 
town. He needs medical attendance at once.” 

“It is too late,” groaned Round. “I am a dead man. 
The end of the world is at hand, and I am caught in sin. 
The others ” 

“What of them ?” asked Grant, eagerly. 


272 


Retribution ! 


“They are gone.” 

“Dead?” 

“Yes; the volcano was shattered by the eruption, the 
liquid mud and earth — ugh! — rolled down to the caves. 
I saw it in time and almost succeeded in — in escaping. 
But Ralph and Patrick were buried under thousands — 
ugh ! — of tons of molten earth.” 

For the first time since the convulsion the boys glanced 
up at the peak of Bandai-San. To their awe they saw that 
its shape had been totally changed. Instead of the grace- 
ful cone with its dimple of a crater, it now seemed shorn 
of half its height. The summit was simply a jagged edge 
of cliff-like reaches. 

*In plain view to the left was a peculiar river, almost 
black in color, and evidently rolling down the steep slope 
of the mountainside like the waters of a cascade. Dense 
clouds of steam hovered over it, and plainly apparent in 
the air were strange, weird sounds impossible to describe. 

The grewsome sight brought back the first feeling of 
terror, and for a moment the lads eyed one another in 
doubt. The desire to flee soon passed away, however, and 
they again turned their attention to the prostrate wretch. 

*An actual occurrence. On the sixteenth of July, 1888, the 
volcano of Bandi-San, in Northern Japan, exploded, killing a 
thousand people. The mountain was almost rent asunder, one- 
third being turned into liquid mud ! 


Retribution ! 


273 

A change was coming over him. It needed no medical 
skill to tell that the man was dying. Nattie gave him more 
water, and others made a couch of their coats, but that 
was all. Willis Round was beyond mortal aid. In the 
course of half an hour he gave a gasp, half arose upon 
his elbow and then fell back lifeless. 

He was buried where he had died. Scooping a shallow 
grave in the soft earth he was placed tenderly within and 
left to his last rest. As they hurried away from the spot 
a strange silence fell upon Grant and his companions. 

One brief hour before they had been eager in their de- 
nunciations of Ralph Black and his fellow conspirators. 
Now all that was changed. An awful fate had overtaken 
them in the very midst of their sins. In the presence of 
the dread retribution all animosity was forgotten. Their 
death was from the awful hand of Nature, and their tomb 
under thousands of tons of Mother Earth! 

With all possible speed the boys left the eventful ravine. 
The horses tethered near the spot of tableland had dis- 
appeared, evidently stampeded by the convulsions. In due 
time the village from which Ralph had taken his reinforce- 
ments was reached. It was entirely deserted. 

At a small town beyond the castle of Yamagata, reached 
late in the afternoon, Sumo was found with other natives 
more brave than their fellows. The giant porter became 


274 


Retribution ! 


wild with delight and ran forth to meet the tired way- 
farers. 

“Welcome! thrice welcome !” he shouted, bowing his 
huge bulk almost to the ground. “And thou escaped from 
old ‘Jishin’ after all ? Glad am I, excellencies ; glad am I ! 
But where are the fugitives ? And where is the foreigner, 
old Red-Beard ?” 

“They are dead,” gravely replied Mori. “They were 
killed by the eruption. Get us meat and drink at once, 
coward. I am minded to punish you for your desertion, 
dog.” 

Sumo shrugged his shoulders philosophically. 

“As thou will, little master,” he replied. “Punish if 
it be in thy heart. I would have fought for thee if mortal 
enemies threatened, but what is my puny arm to that of 
the underground demon ?” 

“I do not blame you for running away, Sumo,” spoke 
up Nattie, with an involuntary shudder. “It was an awful 
experience, and one I have no desire to meet again.” 

“Amen !” fervently exclaimed Grant. 

That afternoon and night the boys rested. At daybreak 
on the following day they started for the nearest railway 
station, in jinrikishas. As reports came in from the coun- 
try nearest to the other slope of Bandai-San the terrible 
nature of the calamity became apparent. 


Retribution ! 


275 


Whole towns had been swept away by the dreadful sea 
of molten mud thrown from the crater. - Thousands had 
been injured, and a thousand lost. Many miles of land 
had been ruined. The destruction was almost irreparable. 

At Tokio the boys purchased new outfits. They re- 
mained a few hours in the capital, and then left for Yoko- 
hama. At Nattie’s personal request, Sumo had accom- 
panied them. It was the lad’s intention to install the giant 
as a factotum of the firm in the counting-room. It was 
late in the morning when they steamed into the railway 
station. As they left the train, Mori turned to Grant 
with a cry of dismay. 

“By Jove ! do you know what day this is ?” he asked, ex- 
citedly. 

“No — that is — it’s ” 

“The first of August, and the bids for those army con- 
tracts are to be opened at noon !” 


CHAPTER XXXVI. 


CONCLUSION. 

“The army contracts !” echoed Grant. “Why, bless my 
soul, you are right! This is the day set by the war de- 
partment for opening them.” 

All three lads instinctively glanced at the station clock. 

“Great Scott!” exclaimed Nattie; “it’s after eleven!” 

“In less than an hour the board will sit, and at Tokio — 
twenty miles away!” Mori cried. “We have lost the 
chance after all.” 

“Not without a struggle,” firmly replied the lame youth. 
“There’s Mr. Burr over there. He is here to meet us. 
Nattie, take him to the nearest stationer, and purchase 
three or four quires of official paper, pen and ink. Be 
back in five minutes. Mori, come with me.” 

While Nattie, too bewildered to speak, hurried away on 
his errand, Grant grasped the Japanese youth’s arm, and 
almost ran to the station master’s office. They found the 
official seated at his desk. 

“What time does the next train leave for the capital?” 
asked Grant. 


“At eleven-thirty, sir.” 


Conclusion. 


277 

“Too late. How long will it take you to start a special 
train ?” 

The railway employee stared at his questioner in sur- 
prise. 

“A special train for Tokio?” he asked. 

“Yes.” 

“We couldn’t have it ready under twenty minutes. Why, 
what ” 

“Never mind the reason, sir,” interrupted Grant, impa- 
tiently. “I must be in Tokio before twelve o’clock.” 

“It is impossible, sir.” 

“Not at all. It must be done. Where is the engine that 
brought the train in a few moments ago ?” 

“It is still in the station, but it will go to the running 
sheds before long.” 

“I must have that engine,” exclaimed Grant, with deter- 
mination. “I will pay you five hundred yen for an hour’s 
use of it. I will also give a bonus of fifty yen each to 
the engineer and fireman.” 

Five minutes later a powerful locomotive left the station, 
bearing the party. A small table had been secured, and 
hard at work upon it was Mr. Burr, writing for dear life 
as Grant dictated. 

The line was clear, telegraphic orders having been sent 
to that effect from Yokohama, and the intricate mass of 


278 Conclusion. 

iron flew upon its journey at the rate of seventy miles an 
hour. 

It was a strange spectacle, and one never before wit- 
nessed in all Japan. To the engineer and fireman, native 
born, it was a novelty indeed, and they cast many curious 
glances at the group upon the tender. 

As the miles were covered at terrific speed, the ponder- 
ous engine swayed and rocked like a ship in distress. 
But amid the lurching and tossing of the fabric, Grant 
stood imperturbably droning word after word, sentence 
upon sentence, while the canny Scot jotted them down as 
best he could. 

The document was a lengthy one, full of circumlocution 
and dreary phrases, but at the end of twelve minutes, 
when the outskirts of Tokio came in sight, it was finished. 
The three members of the firm affixed their names just 
as the panting engine came to a sudden stop in the rail- 
way station of the capital. 

Jinrikishas with fleet karumayas had been ordered by 
telegraph. The distance to the war department was at 
least a mile. Springing into the vehicles, the party were 
carried swiftly through the streets, a promise of ten times 
the usual fare having lent wings to the men’s feet. 

A clock observed midway indicated a quarter of twelve. 


Conclusion. 


279 

"On, on, men!” cried Grant, imploringly. "Fifty yen 
each if you do it before the stroke of twelve.” 

The promise was as a whip to a spirited horse. From 
lagging steps the karnmayas bounded into a run. Down 
the narrow streets they darted, past gardens, through thor- 
oughfares crowded with pedestrians ; on, on, until at last, 
with a final spurt, the four jinrikishas came to a halt in 
front of the Japanese war office. 

Leaving Mr. Burr to settle with the coolies — who had 
well earned their pay — Grant dashed into the building just 
as the first stroke of a sonorous bell overhead proclaimed 
the hour of noon. 

As he passed through the entrance he noticed a door at 
the right bearing upon its panels in Japanese, "War De- 
partment. Office of the Army Board.” It was standing 
slightly ajar, and from the interior came a confused mur- 
mur of voices. 

Something prompted Grant and his companions to stop 
and peer through. Seated at a large desk were several 
officers in uniform and other gentlemen in civilian’s 
clothes. In the center was Yoshisada Udono, Grant’s 
friend. Occupying chairs in the main portion of the room 
were the German merchants of Yokohama, Swartz and 
Bauer, and Ralph’s father, Jesse Black. 

The warning bell had reached the seventh stroke ! 


28 o 


Conclusion. 


Arising to his feet with a triumphant smile upon his 
lean, suave face, the English merchant advanced to the 
desk and laid thereon a packet. As he turned to resume 
his seat there was a noise at the door, and the lame youth 
marched in with calm dignity. 

“Ah, I see I am just in time,” he said, with a pleasant 
smile. “Mr. Udono, will you please accept our bid for the 
contracts ?” 

“Certainly, Grant, with the greatest pleasure,” quickly 
replied the secretary. “Where have you been ? I actually 
thought you would be ” 

He was interrupted by a snarl of mingled stupefaction 
and rage. Mr. Black, who had been staring open mouthed 
at the lads, sprang forward, and shouted : 

“It is too late! It is past the time. The hour of 
twelve ” 

“Has not struck yet,” quietly interrupted Grant. “Lis- 
ten ! ten, eleven, twelve ! I was three seconds to the good.” 

If ever baffled fury sat enthroned on a man’s counte- 
nance it did then upon that of the English merchant. He 
was speechless with anger and disappointment. Shaking 
his fist in Grant’s face, he stammered and choked in a 
futile effort to berate him. 

“Mr. Black, a word with you,” suddenly said Nattie, 
stepping up. 


Conclusion. 


281 


The lad’s tone was full of meaning. He turned and 
added to his brother and Mori : 

“Let us leave for some quiet place and have it over 
with. You know we have a sad duty to perform.” 

“What, what’s that?” asked the merchant, in alarm, 
recovering his speech. “My son Ralph! What of him? 
Don’t tell me he is injured.” 

“Come with us,” replied Grant, evasively. 

Leaving Mori to make a brief explanation to Mr. 
Udono, Nattie and he took the Englishman into a side 
room and there told the story of his son’s awful end. 

It is a strange commentary on human nature that even 
the vilest beast contains a well of tenderness. The hand 
that slays in cruel sport can also caress with fond affec- 
tion. The African mother has her maternal love; the 
foulest rogue a word of kindness. 

Mr. Black was an unscrupulous man. He was a scoun- 
drel at heart, but there was an oasis in the desert of his 
immoral nature. It was his love for his son Ralph. The 
news of his offspring’s death came as a terrible blow. His 
grief was pitiful. 

The spectacle of a strong man weeping in agony of 
spirit swept away all thoughts of punishment. Grant ex- 
changed glances with his brother, and then said, sadly, 
but with firmness : 


282 


Conclusion. 


“Mr. Black, we know everything. We know fully your 
connection with the foul plot to abduct me, but we are 
content with our triumph over you. We could have you 
arrested and sent to prison for a term of years, but we 
will be merciful. You can go forth in freedom, but on 
certain conditions.” 

The miserable man stood listening with bowed head. 

“You must leave Japan at once,” continued Grant, “and 
also make restitution of the money overpaid to you on ac- 
count of our father’s debt. That debt was paid to you 
before his death, and you know it.” 

“No, Grant, your father did not pay me,” replied Mr. 
Black, brokenly. 

“Then you still deny it !” exclaimed the lame youth, his 
voice growing hard. 

“I will explain. I received part of the money, but not 
from your father. The day Mr. Manning died in his 
office I received a call from Willis Round. He said that 
he had taken the fifty-six hundred dollars in gold from 
the safe, and would divide with me if I would promise to 
back him up in pushing the firm to the wall. It was his 
idea to purchase the good will of the business at a forced 
sale and start in for himself. I — I consented, but our 
plans have failed.” 

“Through no fault of yours,” said Nattie, sotto voce. 


Conclusion. 


283 


“Do you agree to the conditions ?” asked Grant. 

“Yes, I will do as you say/’ replied the disgraced mer- 
chant. “I will repay you and leave this country at once. 
I am content to do so. Oh, Ralph, my son, my son !” 

He tottered from the room, and that was the last the 
lads saw of him. On the following day a messenger 
brought to them in their office at Yokohama a package of 
money containing the amount previously paid to Mr. 
Black. 

Before the end of the week he had settled up his affairs 
and left Japan. It was heard later that he had returned 
to England, where he went into retirement with the 
money saved from his business. It is to be hoped he 
sought repentance for his misdeeds. 

In these o’er-true tales it is a pleasure to part with some 
characters, but painful to bid farewell to others. A writer 
has his likes and dislikes, even in his own literature. It 
is said that the immortal Dickens cried when he penned 
the description of Little Nell’s death in the “Old Curi- 
osity Shop,” and that his heart stirred with a curious an- 
ger as he chronicled the villainies of Bill Sykes in another 
story. 

It is probably for a similar reason that I do not like to 
write the words that will put an end for all time to Grant 
and Nattie and Mori. We have spent many pleasant half 


284 


Conclusion. 


hours together. It has been a pleasure to depict their hon- 
esty, and manliness, and truth, to watch their brave strug- 
gle against misfortune, and at last to record their final 
triumph. 

They will succeed in life — integrity and moral worth 
always do. They secured the famous contract, and made 
a legitimate profit from it. That was before the recent 
war between China and Japan. They invested their in- 
creased capital, and are now, at the present date, on the 
fair road to fortune. 

Mr. Burr is the manager of their Yokohama house. 
Mori is in general charge of the business in Japan, and 
Grant and Nattie are now traveling in the United States 
visiting their relatives and quietly keeping an eye out for 
the trade. 

Sumo is established in the main office as porter and mes- 
senger. He sports a gorgeous uniform and is ever re- 
lating to the small boys of the neighborhood his memor- 
able fight with Raiko, the thug, at the foot of old Bandai- 
San. 

And now, in the language of those gentle people, the 
Japanese, I will say “Sayonara!” 


THE END. 


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